All careers › Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Lifeguard: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $25,780lowest 10% earn less
- $28,88025th percentile
- $33,580median
- $37,52075th percentile
- $43,970top 10% earn more
Lifeguards, ski patrol and other recreational protective service workers earned a median of $33,580 a year in May 2025[1]. Employment is projected to grow 5.5% by 2035[2].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +5.5%[2]
- Openings per year
- 45,400[5]
- Typical entry education
- No formal educational credential[6]
How much do lifeguards make?
BLS groups lifeguards with ski patrol and other recreational protective service workers. The median wage for the group was $33,580 a year, or $16.14 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $34,470 a year, or $16.57 an hour[7].
The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4].
| Point in the range | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[3][8] | $25,780 | $12.40 |
| 25th percentile[3][8] | $28,880 | $13.89 |
| Median[1] | $33,580 | $16.14 |
| 75th percentile[3][8] | $37,520 | $18.04 |
| 90th percentile[3][8] | $43,970 | $21.14 |
A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $25,780, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $43,970[3][9]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
These figures cover about 157,550 wage and salary jobs[10]. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11].
Pay by state and city
Among the 50 states and DC with published data, the District of Columbia had the highest median at $60,400, with 290 jobs[12]. Hawaii followed at $52,630 and California at $42,720[12]. Louisiana had the lowest listed median at $22,240[12].
Kahului-Wailuku, HI had the highest metro median at $64,030, followed by Bozeman, MT at $44,610[13].
California had the most jobs, with 22,620, followed by Texas with 11,320 and Florida with 9,460[14]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA had the most jobs of any metro area, at 11,640[15].
Show median pay in 50 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia[12] | $60,400 | 290 |
| Hawaii | $52,630 | 720 |
| California | $42,720 | 22,620 |
| Washington | $37,770 | 4,720 |
| Montana | $37,750 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $36,650 | 2,640 |
| New York | $36,590 | 8,740 |
| Vermont | $36,030 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $35,960 | 1,510 |
| Rhode Island | $35,770 | 370 |
| Colorado | $35,640 | 5,430 |
| Arizona | $35,380 | 3,950 |
| Florida | $35,040 | 9,460 |
| Oregon | $35,030 | 1,860 |
| New Jersey | $34,760 | 5,460 |
| Alaska | $34,540 | 340 |
| Maryland | $34,520 | 4,160 |
| Maine | $34,320 | 340 |
| Illinois | $33,710 | 5,880 |
| New Hampshire | $32,100 | 280 |
| Delaware | $31,930 | 360 |
| Minnesota | $31,870 | 2,130 |
| South Dakota | $30,990 | 490 |
| Georgia | $30,880 | 2,840 |
| Nevada | $30,830 | 2,630 |
| Virginia | $30,070 | 8,920 |
| Michigan | $29,760 | 3,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,480 | 5,450 |
| Texas | $29,450 | 11,320 |
| Missouri | $29,260 | 3,100 |
| Nebraska | $29,100 | 1,250 |
| Wyoming | $29,030 | 500 |
| Idaho | $28,770 | 750 |
| Utah | $28,720 | 2,550 |
| Indiana | $28,640 | 3,290 |
| New Mexico | $28,590 | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $28,570 | 3,350 |
| Kentucky | $28,520 | 1,820 |
| North Dakota | $28,430 | 580 |
| Tennessee | $28,200 | 2,330 |
| Alabama | $28,130 | 1,080 |
| Ohio | $27,770 | 6,450 |
| North Carolina | $27,310 | 4,850 |
| Kansas | $27,220 | 1,750 |
| Arkansas | $27,000 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $26,210 | 1,900 |
| Iowa | $25,460 | 1,410 |
| Oklahoma | $25,250 | 650 |
| West Virginia | $24,670 | 450 |
| Mississippi | $24,440 | 330 |
| Louisiana | $22,240 | 660 |
How to become a lifeguard
BLS lists no formal educational credential and no related work experience for entry. Short-term on-the-job training is typical[6]. For some positions, employers may prefer a high school diploma or equivalent[16].
- First: build skill in a related sport. Candidates usually need athletic ability in activities such as swimming, skiing or biking[17]. Lifeguards need strong swimming skills. Ski and bike patrollers need to ride with confidence on different kinds of terrain[18]. Lessons and school clubs or teams can help you prepare[19].
- Next: be ready to show your ability. Employers may ask candidates to try out or pass tests, such as swimming several hundred yards in a set time for lifeguards[20].
- Then: get certified. Certification is often required, and common ones are CPR and first aid[21]. Lifeguards typically need lifeguard certification. Ski or bike patrollers may need certifications in emergency medical care or wilderness response[22]. Some employers help workers earn them[22].
- Also check: requirements may include a minimum age or a background check[23].
- After hiring: expect short-term on-the-job training. Ski patrollers, for example, may be trained in rescue techniques or lift operation[24].
In an O*NET survey of 33 workers, 39% said less than a high school diploma was the education required, 21% said a high school diploma or equivalent, 17% said a postsecondary certificate and 16% said an associate's degree[25].
The handbook names adaptability, attention to detail and interpersonal skills as useful qualities[26][27][28].
What lifeguards do
O*NET describes the work as monitoring recreational areas such as pools, beaches or ski slopes to help and protect participants[29]. Typical tasks include:
- Patrolling or watching trails, slopes or swimming areas on foot, in vehicles or from towers[30].
- Rescuing people in trouble with rescue techniques and equipment[30].
- Calling emergency medical personnel after a serious injury[30].
- Giving first aid or CPR to injured people when needed[30].
- Warning visitors about bad weather, unsafe areas or illegal conduct[30].
- Testing chemical levels to keep pool water in good condition[30].
- Keeping records of weather, beach conditions and incidents[30].
- Checking equipment such as chair lifts, and facilities, for hazards and cleanliness[30].
Workers report titles such as beach lifeguard, pool lifeguard, ocean lifeguard and marine safety officer[31].
Where they work
Many of these workers spend much of their time outdoors in varied weather, including heat, cold or wet conditions[32]. Protective gear may be needed. Outdoor lifeguards, for example, must wear sun protection[33]. The work can mean hours of standing, walking or moving on equipment such as bikes or skis[34]. It can be stressful at times, especially when guests are hurt or need help[35].
Local government outside education and hospitals was the largest employer, at 34% in 2025[36].
Part-time jobs are common, and schedules can include early mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays[37]. Jobs are often seasonal. Some lifeguards work mainly in summer, while ski patrollers work mainly in winter[37].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 162,000 to 170,800 jobs[2]. All occupations together are projected to grow 3.5%[38].
BLS projects about 45,400 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[5]. Those openings include jobs left by people who retire or switch occupations, as well as new jobs[5]. Each year, 13.2% of workers leave the labor force and 13.6% move to a different occupation[39].
Is it a good fit?
The facts point to a job with an easy entry point. There is no formal education requirement and training on the job is short[6]. You will likely need to show athletic ability and hold certification[17][21]. Median pay of $33,580 is below the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][4]. Pay varies by place, and the median reached $42,720 in California[12]. Growth of 5.5% is above the 3.5% rate for all occupations[2][38]. Part-time and seasonal schedules are common[37].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a lifeguard make an hour?
- The median for lifeguards and related workers was $16.14 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $12.40 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $21.14[8][9].
- What do you need to be a lifeguard?
- BLS lists no formal educational credential[6]. Candidates usually need athletic ability such as strong swimming, and certification is often required[17][18][21].
- Is lifeguarding in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035[2], against 3.5% for all occupations[38]. About 45,400 openings a year are projected[5].
- Are lifeguard jobs full time?
- Part-time work is common, and jobs are often seasonal[37].
- What is the highest paying state for lifeguards?
- The District of Columbia had the highest median at $60,400, followed by Hawaii at $52,630[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in the US was $33,580 per year and $16.14 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, from about 162,000 to 170,800 jobs (a change of +8,900). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers: 10th percentile $25,780, 25th percentile $28,880, 75th percentile $37,520, 90th percentile $43,970. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 45,400 openings for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers: education needed for entry: No formal educational credential; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers was $34,470 per year and $16.57 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers: 10th percentile $12.40, 25th percentile $13.89, 75th percentile $18.04, 90th percentile $21.14. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 157,550 people were employed as Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Kahului-Wailuku, HI $64,030; Bozeman, MT $44,610; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $43,800; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $43,260; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $43,050; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $42,460; Ann Arbor, MI $42,330; Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $39,970. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers jobs: California 22,620; Texas 11,320; Florida 9,460; Virginia 8,920; New York 8,740. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 11,640 (median $43,800); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 9,610 (median $36,600); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 4,960 (median $33,750); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 4,600 (median $34,710); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 3,930 (median $29,770); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 3,060 (median $39,240). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 33-9092.00 survey of workers (33 respondents), education level they say is required: Less than a High School Diploma 39%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 21%, Post-Secondary Certificate 17%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 16%, Some College Courses 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 33-9092.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Beach Attendant, Beach Lifeguard, Lifeguard, Marine Safety Officer, Ocean Lifeguard, Ocean Lifeguard Specialist, Pool Attendant, Pool Lifeguard. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of recreational protective service workers in 2025: Local government, excluding education and hospitals 34%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers: 13.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 13.6% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.