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Public Safety

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
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Median pay

$33,720
Median annual pay for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

5.8%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

42,700
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

149,700
Estimated U.S. employment for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+8,700
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

No formal educational credential
Typical additional preparation: Short-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Monitoring
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Learning Strategies
  5. 5Critical Thinking
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Customer and Personal Service
  2. 2Public Safety and Security
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5Medicine and Dentistry
  6. 6Psychology

Abilities

  1. 1Problem Sensitivity
  2. 2Far Vision
  3. 3Oral Expression
  4. 4Oral Comprehension
  5. 5Selective Attention
  6. 6Speech Clarity

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Social
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Enterprising
  5. 5Investigative
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Self-Control
  3. 3Stress Tolerance
  4. 4Cooperation
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Integrity

Work activities

  1. 1Assisting and Caring for Others
  2. 2Performing General Physical Activities
  3. 3Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
  4. 4Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  5. 5Documenting/Recording Information
  6. 6Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Work context

  1. 1Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Contact With Others
  4. 4Health and Safety of Other Workers
  5. 5E-Mail
  6. 6Frequency of Decision Making

Representative tasks

  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyGroupMeMicrosoft Publisher

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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