Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Washington make a median of $37,770 a year, or about $18.16 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $46K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $37,026 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,830/month, about 67.3% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $38K get you in Washington?
About lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers, local pay runs about 12% higher than the U.S. median of $34K. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,830/month, which is 67.8% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. The pay premium is real, but so are the offsets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $38K. Top earners bring in $46K or more, a $11K spread from bottom to top.
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary by metro in Washington
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $39K | +4% | 3,060 |
| Bellingham | $37K | -2% | 110 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $37K | -2% | 120 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $36K | -5% | 130 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $35K | -6% | 130 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $35K | -8% | 320 |
| Yakima | $35K | -8% | 120 |
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 Washington numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
Can a lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $38K, rent takes 67.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/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 Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers typically earn — is $35K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,079/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 88% 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 Washington?
Local pay is 12% above the national median — $38K here vs. $34K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers?
Washington pays $38K median vs. the U.S. average of $34K — that’s +12%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $37K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers make in Washington?
The median is $37,770 a year, that works out to about $18 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,650, and experienced lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers can clear $45,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $38K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,699/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 67.8% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (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 $37,026 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.