How to become a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker
Official title: Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Also called: Beach Attendant, Beach Lifeguard, Lifeguard, Marine Safety Officer, Ocean Lifeguard, Ocean Lifeguard Specialist, Pool Attendant, Pool Lifeguard, Ski Patrol Paramedic, Ski Patroller
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
Main 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.
How to become one
Recreational protective service workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. To qualify for jobs, candidates usually need athletic ability in a related recreational sport, such as swimming, skiing, or biking. Certification is often required.
Typical education to start: No formal educational credential
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $33,580 a year The middle half earn $28,880 to $37,520.
- About 162,000 people work in this job now, and about 170,800 are projected by 2035. (+5.5%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Related jobs
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers
- Transportation Security Screeners
- School Bus Monitors
- Retail Loss Prevention Specialists
Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz
Questions people ask
How do I become a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker?
Recreational protective service workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. To qualify for jobs, candidates usually need athletic ability in a related recreational sport, such as swimming, skiing, or biking. Certification is often required.
How much does a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $33,580 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $28,880 to $37,520.
Is a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 162,000 to about 170,800 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker?
Not always. 47% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the 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.