Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers pay in California
In California, the median pay for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers is $20.54 an hour ($42,720 a year). About 22,620 people work in this job there.
That is 27% higher than the U.S. median ($33,580). California ranks 3rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $16.64 | $34,620 |
| 25% of workers | $17.94 | $37,320 |
| Half of workers (median) | $20.54 | $42,720 |
| 75% of workers | $21.62 | $44,960 |
| 90% of workers | $28.23 | $58,710 |
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $43,800 | 11,640 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $43,050 | 2,480 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $42,460 | 1,020 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $39,970 | 340 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $39,580 | 260 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $39,160 | 1,070 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $39,120 | 2,000 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $38,480 | 210 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $38,070 | 1,000 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $37,650 | 460 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $37,320 | 150 |
| Vallejo | $37,010 | 260 |
| Modesto | $36,960 | 100 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $36,360 | 120 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $36,360 | 200 |
| Fresno | $35,820 | 230 |
| Salinas | $34,620 | 250 |
| Chico | $34,320 | 50 |
| El Centro | $34,320 | 90 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +5.5% over ten years, faster than average · about 45,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Security Guards | $43,240 |
| Recreation Workers | $39,780 |
| Firefighters | $85,120 |
| Emergency Medical Technicians | $46,380 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $102,840 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $127,630 |
| Paramedics | $74,590 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | $61,360 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: 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. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.