Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in California
Want to work as a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in California? Here’s what you need to know. Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
What do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Make in California?
For a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers working in California, the median annual wage is $42,520 per year (or roughly $20.44/hour).Earnings range from $34,690 at the 10th percentile to $60,470 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| 25th percentile | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Median (50th) | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| 75th percentile | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| 90th percentile | $60,470 | $29.07 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in California compared to the national average — is 1.29, indicating that lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers earn a median of $45,141 per year ($21.70/hour), below the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 37,492 lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers nationwide. In California alone, around 21,730 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,580 lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers.
Top California Metros for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
The metro areas below employ the most lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 10,320 | $43,450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,640 | $43,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 2,170 | $40,280 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,250 | $39,220 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,070 | $45,190 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 800 | $36,870 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 430 | $39,270 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 340 | $38,870 |
| Fresno, CA | 290 | $35,710 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 290 | $38,750 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 250 | $37,520 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 230 | $38,380 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 200 | $35,960 |
| Salinas, CA | 190 | $37,600 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 80 | $35,070 |
| El Centro, CA | 80 | $33,810 |
| Modesto, CA | 80 | $37,720 |
| Chico, CA | 70 | $34,780 |
Top States for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Employment
View the states that employ the most lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 21,730 |
| Texas | 11,600 |
| Florida | 10,010 |
| New York | 7,730 |
| Virginia | 6,700 |
| Illinois | 5,740 |
| Colorado | 5,220 |
| Ohio | 5,050 |
| New Jersey | 4,680 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,570 |
| North Carolina | 4,550 |
| Washington | 3,870 |
| Arizona | 3,380 |
| Wisconsin | 3,250 |
| Missouri | 3,230 |
| Michigan | 3,190 |
| Indiana | 3,090 |
| Georgia | 2,480 |
| Nevada | 2,470 |
| Minnesota | 2,410 |
Highest-Paying States for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Where lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers earn the most: lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $58,640 |
| Hawaii | $55,540 |
| California | $42,520 |
| Washington | $38,510 |
| Massachusetts | $36,830 |
| Colorado | $36,290 |
| Rhode Island | $36,090 |
| New York | $35,890 |
| Vermont | $35,850 |
| Alaska | $35,650 |
Skills
Top lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- 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.
- Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident information.
- 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.
- Observe activities in assigned areas, using binoculars, to detect hazards, disturbances, or safety infractions.
- Operate underwater recovery units.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Getting Information
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Training and Teaching Others
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Tools & Technology
Technologies frequently used: Hot technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Natural Resource Management
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Related Careers
Related occupations to lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers include:
- Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Paramedics
- Athletic Trainers
Also Known As
Aquatics Coordinator, Aquatics Lifeguard, Aquatics Specialist, Beach Attendant, Beach Lifeguard, Bus Monitor, Certified Lifeguard, Certified Ski Patroller, Gamewell Operator, Life Guard, Lifeguard, Marine Safety Officer, OEC Tech (Outdoor Emergency Care Technician), Ocean Lifeguard, Ocean Lifeguard Specialist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 33-9092.00
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