Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
SOC: 33-9092 O*NET: 33-9092.00
Median Salary
$33,720
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.8%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
42.7
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
What does a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$24,860
10th percentile
Early Career
$28,840
25th percentile
Median
$33,720
50th percentile
Experienced
$37,750
75th percentile
Top Earners
$44,600
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$24,860
25th
$28,840
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$33,720
Mean: $34,700
75th
$37,750
90th
$44,600
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $19,740 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $28,840 and $37,750
- •Salary spread is 26.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 143,590 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:149,700
Top Industries
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries25.4%
Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers20.8%
Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations13.4%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.8%
Annual Openings:42,700
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)149,700
Current
2034 (Projected)158,400
+5.8%
+8,700
Employment Change
+5.8%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
21,730 jobs$42,5201.29x
Texas
11,600 jobs$29,2400.90x
Florida
10,010 jobs$35,0101.09x
New York
7,730 jobs$35,8900.87x
Virginia
6,700 jobs$31,6101.77x
Illinois
5,740 jobs$33,3101.02x
Colorado
5,220 jobs$36,2901.94x
Ohio
5,050 jobs$28,3300.98x
New Jersey
4,680 jobs$35,2501.18x
Pennsylvania
4,570 jobs$30,9500.82x
North Carolina
4,550 jobs$27,0401.00x
Washington
3,870 jobs$38,5101.17x
Arizona
3,380 jobs$35,3601.13x
Wisconsin
3,250 jobs$29,1901.19x
Missouri
3,230 jobs$29,1901.19x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Monitoring
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Social Perceptiveness
86%
#4
Service Orientation
80%
#5
Learning Strategies
74%
#6
Active Listening
66%
#7
Judgment and Decision Making
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Critical Thinking
40%
Skills Overview
Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate4.3
86%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Learning Strategies
intermediate3.7
74%
Active Listening
intermediate3.3
66%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Firefighters82%
5 shared skills
Midwives82%
5 shared skills
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers82%
5 shared skills
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials82%
5 shared skills
Helpers--Carpenters70%
5 shared skills
Acupuncturists67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
- →Active Listening
- →Coordination
- →Judgment and Decision Making
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Service Orientation
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Service Orientation
- ★Learning Strategies
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Technology Intensity
Medium
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires intermediate digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Office productivity softwareIndustry-specific applicationsBasic data entry and managementDigital communication tools
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet low physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
15
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (9)Training & Development (3)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Operations & Execution (1)
1
Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development91% perform94%
5
Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development88% perform92%
6
Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Inspect recreational equipment, such as rope tows, T-bars, J-bars, or chair lifts, for safety hazards and damage or wear.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Provide assistance with staff selection, training, and supervision.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development76% perform84%
10
Inspect recreational facilities for cleanliness.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •47% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers professionals typically have a RSC Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
SSocial
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.54
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.36
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.27
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.16
Self-Control
Very ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level4.14
Adaptability/Flexibility
ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level3.98
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Concern for Others
4.3
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Self-Control
4.1
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.0
Integrity
4.0
Attention to Detail
3.9
Initiative
3.6
Social Orientation
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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