Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker Salary in California
Median annual pay in California
$42,720
$20.54/hour
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Adjusted for cost of living in California
$38,584
Regional Price Parity: 110.720 (U.S. = 100)
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Difference from the U.S. median ($33,580): +$9,140 (+27.2%)
California ranks 3rd of 51 states by median pay, and 4th of 51 after adjusting for cost of living.
Pay
| Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,620 | $16.64 |
| 25th percentile | $37,320 | $17.94 |
| Median | $42,720 | $20.54 |
| 75th percentile | $44,960 | $21.62 |
| 90th percentile | $58,710 | $28.23 |
Employment
- Employment in California
- 22,620
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Comparison
Compared with the U.S.
- Median annual pay in California
- $42,720
- Median annual pay in the U.S.
- $33,580
- Difference
- +$9,140 (+27.2%)
Cost of living
$42,720 ÷ 110.720 × 100 = $38,584
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ranking
| Rank | Median annual pay | Adjusted for cost of living (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | ||
| 1st | $60,400 | $54,959 1st |
| Hawaii | ||
| 2nd | $52,630 | $47,867 2nd |
| California This page | ||
| 3rd | $42,720 | $38,584 4th |
| Washington | ||
| 4th | $37,770 | $35,295 7th |
| Montana | ||
| 5th | $37,750 | $39,886 3rd |
Similar occupations
Related occupations from O*NET, in O*NET's order, with their BLS median pay. Each figure shows the place it is for.
- Firefighter salary in California
$85,120/year California
- Emergency Medical Technician salary in California
$46,380/year California
- Recreation Worker salary in the U.S.
$36,560/year U.S.
- Security Guard salary in California
$43,240/year California
- Forest Fire Inspector and Prevention Specialist salary in the U.S.
$56,870/year U.S.
- Paramedic salary in California
$74,590/year California
Outlook
- Projected employment change, 2025–35 (U.S.)
- +5.5%
- Typical education needed for entry (U.S.)
- No formal educational credential
BLS publishes employment projections only for the U.S. as a whole. BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
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Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker salary in nearby places
- Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker salary in Arizona
$35,380/year Arizona
- Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker salary in Nevada
$30,830/year Nevada
- Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker salary in Oregon
$35,030/year Oregon
- Lifeguard, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Worker salary in the U.S.
$33,580/year U.S.
Sources and update
- Wages and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
- Related occupations: O*NET® 31.0 Database, CC BY 4.0. Attributions
- Employment projections and typical education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Neighboring states: U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File, 2024.
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