Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary by State
Also called: Lifeguards
The national median pay for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers is $33,580 a year. By state, it ranges from $22,240 in Louisiana to $60,400 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $25,780
- 25th percentile
- $28,880
- Median
- $33,580
- 75th percentile
- $37,520
- Top 10%
- $43,970
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 157,550 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $60,400 | +80% | $36,400 | $74,080 | 290 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $52,630 | +57% | $33,720 | $79,840 | 720 |
| 3 | California | $42,720 | +27% | $34,620 | $58,710 | 22,620 |
| 4 | Washington | $37,770 | +12% | $34,650 | $45,940 | 4,720 |
| 5 | Montana | $37,750 | +12% | $26,820 | $58,790 | 270 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $36,650 | +9% | $32,830 | $42,290 | 2,640 |
| 7 | New York | $36,590 | +9% | $32,240 | $45,190 | 8,740 |
| 8 | Vermont | $36,030 | +7% | $30,150 | $42,140 | 310 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $35,960 | +7% | $34,010 | $39,740 | 1,510 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $35,770 | +7% | $31,200 | $41,490 | 370 |
| 11 | Colorado | $35,640 | +6% | $31,870 | $43,280 | 5,430 |
| 12 | Arizona | $35,380 | +5% | $30,580 | $40,150 | 3,950 |
| 13 | Florida | $35,040 | +4% | $28,510 | $45,000 | 9,460 |
| 14 | Oregon | $35,030 | +4% | $30,560 | $42,530 | 1,860 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $34,760 | +4% | $32,220 | $42,860 | 5,460 |
| 16 | Alaska | $34,540 | +3% | $24,770 | $45,040 | 340 |
| 17 | Maryland | $34,520 | +3% | $31,200 | $40,550 | 4,160 |
| 18 | Maine | $34,320 | +2% | $31,080 | $45,460 | 340 |
| 19 | Illinois | $33,710 | 0% | $31,200 | $37,050 | 5,880 |
| 20 | New Hampshire | $32,100 | −4% | $27,970 | $45,770 | 280 |
| 21 | Delaware | $31,930 | −5% | $31,200 | $33,700 | 360 |
| 22 | Minnesota | $31,870 | −5% | $25,950 | $38,120 | 2,130 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $30,990 | −8% | $26,760 | $35,610 | 490 |
| 24 | Georgia | $30,880 | −8% | $24,420 | $38,480 | 2,840 |
| 25 | Nevada | $30,830 | −8% | $27,750 | $34,640 | 2,630 |
| 26 | Virginia | $30,070 | −10% | $26,790 | $37,450 | 8,920 |
| 27 | Michigan | $29,760 | −11% | $25,960 | $47,630 | 3,770 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $29,480 | −12% | $22,650 | $35,900 | 5,450 |
| 29 | Texas | $29,450 | −12% | $22,580 | $41,740 | 11,320 |
| 30 | Missouri | $29,260 | −13% | $28,600 | $33,960 | 3,100 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $29,100 | −13% | $28,080 | $34,820 | 1,250 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $29,030 | −14% | $19,820 | $46,830 | 500 |
| 33 | Idaho | $28,770 | −14% | $23,200 | $33,540 | 750 |
| 34 | Utah | $28,720 | −14% | $21,280 | $46,210 | 2,550 |
| 35 | Indiana | $28,640 | −15% | $22,690 | $33,280 | 3,290 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $28,590 | −15% | $27,260 | $37,960 | 760 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $28,570 | −15% | $22,920 | $35,710 | 3,350 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $28,520 | −15% | $20,280 | $33,250 | 1,820 |
| 39 | North Dakota | $28,430 | −15% | $22,880 | $33,930 | 580 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $28,200 | −16% | $22,080 | $34,330 | 2,330 |
| 41 | Alabama | $28,130 | −16% | $20,560 | $33,770 | 1,080 |
| 42 | Ohio | $27,770 | −17% | $22,810 | $36,200 | 6,450 |
| 43 | North Carolina | $27,310 | −19% | $21,830 | $36,390 | 4,850 |
| 44 | Kansas | $27,220 | −19% | $21,100 | $32,720 | 1,750 |
| 45 | Arkansas | $27,000 | −20% | $23,310 | $34,050 | 530 |
| 46 | South Carolina | $26,210 | −22% | $20,470 | $35,430 | 1,900 |
| 47 | Iowa | $25,460 | −24% | $20,560 | $31,460 | 1,410 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $25,250 | −25% | $20,830 | $35,410 | 650 |
| 49 | West Virginia | $24,670 | −27% | $20,570 | $30,160 | 450 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $24,440 | −27% | $21,110 | $31,200 | 330 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $22,240 | −34% | $20,480 | $30,990 | 660 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary questions
Which state pays lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $60,400 a year (+80% vs. the national median of $33,580). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers the least?
Louisiana, with a median of $22,240 a year (−34% vs. national).
Where do most lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers work?
California has the most jobs, about 22,620, with a median of $42,720.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.