Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
What it pays
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earn a median of $16.14/hr — about $33,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $12.40/hr; the top 10% earn $21.14/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earn a median of $16.14/hr — about $33,500 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $12.40/hr; the top 10% earn $21.14/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
- Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
- Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
- Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
- Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
- Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: Less than high school. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).
The feel of the work
Much of the work happens outdoors. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 0% of lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are hands-on, people-focused and organized and detail-focused.
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Quick questions
- How much does a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker make?
- The median pay is $16.14 per hour — roughly $33,500 a year, with the real range running from about $12.40/hr (10th percentile) to $21.14/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker?
- The typical entry-level education is: Less than high school. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).
- What does a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker actually do all day?
- Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers. Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment. Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.
Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.