Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Alaska make a median of $34,540 a year, or about $16.61 an hour. The range runs from $25K at the entry level to $45K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 104.31), that's roughly $33,113 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,643/month, about 66.1% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Alaska. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $35K get you in Alaska?
About lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
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What this looks like in Alaska
Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers pay in Alaska tracks closely to the national median, $35K locally vs. $34K nationwide, a 3% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,643/month, which is 66.2% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 104.31) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alaska
Entry-level lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers (10th percentile) start around $25K. Mid-career wages sit at $35K. Top earners bring in $45K or more, a $20K spread from bottom to top.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary by metro in Alaska
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $26K | -26% | 110 |
Compare to other states
Track lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alaska numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Alaska?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $35K, rent takes 66.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,643/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $700/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers in Alaska?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers typically earn — is $25K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,486/month. At HUD’s $1,643/month FMR, rent would take 111% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker a high-paying job in Alaska?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $35K locally vs. $34K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does Alaska compare to the national average for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers?
Alaska pays $35K median vs. the U.S. average of $34K — that’s +3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 104.31), the purchasing-power equivalent is $33K — below the national median.
How much do lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers make in Alaska?
The median is $34,540 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $24,770, and experienced lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers can clear $45,040. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $35K enough to live in Alaska?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,483/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,643/month, which eats 66.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers salary go in Alaska?
Alaska has a Regional Price Parity of 104.31 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers salary is worth about $33,113 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.