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.
Also called: Beach Attendant · Beach Lifeguard · Lifeguard · Marine Safety Officer · Ocean Lifeguard · Ocean Lifeguard Specialist
Median pay (national)
$33,720
$24,860–$44,600 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
143,590
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.8%
~42,700 openings/yr
Typical entry
No formal educational credential
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers shows a relatively narrow range: the top 10% earn $44,600 versus $24,860 at the bottom 10% — 1.8x. The median of $33,720 leaves roughly 32% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.8% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 42,700 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $58,640, +74% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $20,950 — a 180% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Monitoring, Speaking, Active Listening as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Learning
- Writing
- Science
- Mathematics
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
- 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.
- Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
- Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
- Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
- Inspect recreational equipment, such as rope tows, T-bars, J-bars, or chair lifts, for safety hazards and damage or wear.
- Inspect recreational facilities for cleanliness.
Tools & technology
- GroupMe
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- Chemistry