Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

33-9092.00 Zone 2 — Some Preparation Needed

Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.

Also known as: Aquatics Coordinator, Aquatics Lifeguard, Aquatics Specialist, Beach Attendant, Beach Lifeguard, Bus Monitor, Certified Lifeguard, Certified Ski Patroller, ...

Annual Salary

$33,720

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$28,840 25th – 75th percentile $37,750
10th percentile $24,860
90th percentile $44,600
U.S. Employment: 143,590

Job Outlook

+5.8%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (Faster than average)

Annual Job Openings 42,700 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: No formal educational credential
On-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training

What You'd Do

  • Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
  • Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
  • Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
  • Instruct participants in skiing, swimming, or other recreational activities and provide safety precaution information.
  • Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
  • Complete and maintain records of weather and beach conditions, emergency medical treatments performed, and other relevant incident 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.
  • Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.

Top Skills

Monitoring 3.8
Speaking 3.5
Social Perceptiveness 3.4
Service Orientation 3.3
Active Listening 3.1
Learning Strategies 3.1
Coordination 3.0
Complex Problem Solving 3.0

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Customer and Personal Service 4.0
Public Safety and Security 3.6
English Language 3.5
Education and Training 3.1
Medicine and Dentistry 3.0
Psychology 3.0
Administration and Management 2.7
Chemistry 2.5

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

< High School
39.2%
High School
21.1%
Certificate
17.3%
Associate's
16.1%
Some College
5.1%
Bachelor's
1.2%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word

Other Tools

GroupMe Microsoft Publisher

Work Styles

Personality traits and work styles important for this career

2.7
Dependability
2.6
Self-Control
2.5
Stress Tolerance
2.3
Cooperation
2.2
Cautiousness
2.1
Integrity
2.0
Perseverance

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Problem Sensitivity 4.0
Far Vision 3.5
Oral Expression 3.5
Oral Comprehension 3.3
Selective Attention 3.3
Speech Clarity 3.3
Flexibility of Closure 3.1
Deductive Reasoning 3.1

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Assisting and Caring for Others 4.6
Performing General Physical Activities 4.4
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public 4.1
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials 4.1
Documenting/Recording Information 3.9
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 3.9
Getting Information 3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates 3.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.6
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.6
Contact With Others
4.5
Health and Safety of Other Workers
4.2
E-Mail
4.2
Frequency of Decision Making
4.1
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
4.1
Consequence of Error
4.1
Physical Proximity
4.0
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
3.9
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
3.9
Freedom to Make Decisions
3.8

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.