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Salary comparison

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers vs. Security Guards: Who Earns More?

Security Guardss out-earn Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss by $4K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss land at $33,580 and Security Guardss at $38,020. The education gap is real: lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while security guard programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss is District of Columbia ($60,400); for Security Guardss it's District of Columbia ($64,210).

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Security Guards
Median salary
$33,580
$38,020
Hourly rate
$16.14/hr
$18.28/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$25,780
$30,210
Senior level (90th %)
$43,970
$58,840
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
157,550
1,283,470
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
N/A
Category
Public Safety
Public Safety
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
District of Columbia

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers median pay.

State
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Security Guards
District of Columbia
$60,400
$64,210
Hawaii
$52,630
$42,820
California
$42,720
$43,240
Washington
$37,770
$47,100
Massachusetts
$36,650
$44,670
New York
$36,590
$44,240
Vermont
$36,030
$45,550
Colorado
$35,640
$45,150
Oregon
$35,030
$45,500
Alaska
$34,540
$47,480
New Hampshire
$32,100
$45,200
Minnesota
$31,870
$43,380
Virginia
$30,070
$43,640
Utah
$28,720
$42,700
New Mexico
$28,590
$43,320

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss or Security Guardss?

Security Guardss earn more nationally. The median is $33,580 for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss versus $38,020 for Security Guardss, a difference of $4K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers or Security Guards?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers or Security Guards?

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Security Guards requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss at $60,400/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers vs. Security Guards pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss earn $60,400 vs. $64,210 for Security Guardss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary breakdownView →Full Security Guards salary breakdownView →Best cities for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workerss by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Security Guardss by take-home payExplore →How to become a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workersGuide →How to become a security guardsGuide →