Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
SOC 33-9092 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers is $30,380, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $31,340, and an estimated 123,560 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +21.4% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +3.1% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 5.8% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $30,380 | $30,380 | 123,560 |
| 2022 | $27,270 | $28,393 | 107,930 |
| 2021 | $25,630 | $28,821 | 114,320 |
| 2020 | $25,020 | $29,456 | 113,150 |
Nominal change
+21.4%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+3.1%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+5.8%
Faster than average
Employment 2024
149,700
Projected 2034
158,400
Annual Openings
42,700
Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $30,380. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $56,530 | +86.1% | 180 |
| District of Columbia | $55,240 | +81.8% | 360 |
| Hawaii | $53,330 | +75.5% | 700 |
| Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $46,800 | +54% | 680 |
| Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $39,810 | +31% | 70 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $37,800 | +24.4% | 90 |
| North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $37,710 | +24.1% | 50 |
| Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $37,420 | +23.2% | 220 |
| California | $37,030 | +21.9% | 13,320 |
| North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $36,480 | +20.1% | 120 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$22,750
25th Pct
$26,150
Median
$30,380
75th Pct
$35,300
90th Pct
$39,150
Related Occupations in Protective Service
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.