Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in Florida
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Florida earn a median of $35,040 a year ($16.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,000 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $33,580. Florida ranks 13th of 51 states for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers pay. There are 0.95 lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in Florida
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| 25th percentile | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| Median | $35,040 | $16.85 |
| 75th percentile | $37,790 | $18.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,000 | $21.63 |
| Average (mean) | $35,510 | $17.07 |
Half of lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,920 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,460 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,347.69 |
| Weekly | $673.85 |
| Hourly | $16.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,040 salary, see how much house you can afford in Florida at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in cities in Florida
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $41,310 | 50 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $38,900 | 310 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $37,230 | 2,730 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $36,740 | 120 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $36,300 | 100 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $35,870 | 80 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $35,800 | 80 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $34,770 | 310 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $34,600 | 120 |
| Ocala, FL | $34,130 | 70 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $33,500 | 750 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $31,820 | 120 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $31,720 | 620 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $30,510 | 2,980 |
Highest-paying states for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $60,400 |
| Hawaii | $52,630 |
| California | $42,720 |
| Washington | $37,770 |
| Montana | $37,750 |
| Massachusetts | $36,650 |
| New York | $36,590 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Connecticut | $35,960 |
| Rhode Island | $35,770 |
See Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Florida
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $63,130 | $30.35 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $35,730 | $17.18 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $74,470 | $35.81 |
| Firefighter | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,710 | $23.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $100,880 | $48.50 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $98,560 | $47.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,140 | $22.67 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Florida
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers make in Florida?
The median salary for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in Florida is $35,040 a year, or $16.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers make in Florida?
The top 10% of lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in Florida earn at least $45,000 a year. The top 25% earn $37,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in Florida?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,510 a year, and a quarter of lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers earn $30,510 or less.
How many lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers work in Florida?
About 9,460 lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers are employed in Florida, not counting the self-employed.