Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in Washington
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Washington earn a median of $37,770 a year ($18.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,720 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,940 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $33,580. Washington ranks 4th of 51 states for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.3 lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $39,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| 25th percentile | $35,310 | $16.97 |
| Median | $37,770 | $18.16 |
| 75th percentile | $44,550 | $21.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,940 | $22.09 |
| Average (mean) | $39,940 | $19.20 |
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 | $3,147.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,573.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,452.69 |
| Weekly | $726.35 |
| Hourly | $18.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $39,240 | 3,060 |
| Bellingham, WA | $37,110 | 110 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $36,930 | 120 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $36,350 | 1,090 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $35,710 | 130 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $35,460 | 130 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $34,940 | 90 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $34,650 | 320 |
| Yakima, WA | $34,650 | 120 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $48,940 | $23.53 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $45,740 | $21.99 |
| School Bus Monitor | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Animal Control Worker | $66,440 | $31.94 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $102,080 | $49.08 |
| Firefighter | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $129,350 | $62.19 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $136,280 | $65.52 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $115,790 | $55.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $62,510 | $30.05 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in Washington is $37,770 a year, or $18.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers make in Washington?
The top 10% of lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in Washington earn at least $45,940 a year. The top 25% earn $44,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,650 a year, and a quarter of lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers earn $35,310 or less.
How many lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers work in Washington?
About 4,720 lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.