SalaryExplorer

SOC 33-9092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersEast South Dakota

East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared

$28,230 /year
$13.57per hour
130jobs in area
15.9%vs US median

Median pay for this occupation in East South Dakota, SD is $28,230 a year, trailing the national median of $33,580 by 15.9%.

Wage distribution · annual

Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners

US MEDIAN $33,58010TH$27,170MEDIAN$28,23075TH$31,32090TH$33,350

Salary overview

Median pay for this occupation in East South Dakota, SD is $28,230 a year, trailing the national median of $33,580 by 15.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $27,170 and $31,320. The lowest tenth earn under $27,170, while the highest tenth earn more than $33,350.

The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.96 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Sioux Falls records the highest median at $35,610. Of the 390 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 384th.

Percentile breakdown

Annual wages by percentile · East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area · May 2025
PercentileAnnualvs US median
10th$27,170−19.1%
25th$27,170−19.1%
Median (50th)$28,230−15.9%
75th$31,320−6.7%
90th$33,350−0.7%
Mean$29,880−11.0%

Other metro areas in South Dakota

Median annual wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers, by metro area
#Metro areaMedianJobsRelative
1Sioux Falls$35,610140
2Rapid City$34,010110

What the pay is worth locally

Prices in East South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $28,230 goes as far as $31,862 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.1% below the national median in real terms.

Published median

$28,230as reported by BLS

Local price level

88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024

Adjusted for local prices

$31,862US average = 100 · BEA 2024

Key takeaways

  • Median pay is $28,230 a year, 15.9% below the national median.
  • Published pay spans $27,170 to $33,350 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
  • The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
  • The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $35,610.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in East South Dakota, SD?

The median annual wage is $28,230, or $13.57 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.

Is that higher than the national average?

The national median for this occupation is $33,580, so pay in East South Dakota, SD is 15.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.

What do the top earners make?

The top tenth of this occupation in East South Dakota, SD earns more than $33,350 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.

What is the starting range?

The tenth percentile wage is $27,170 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.

Which area nearby pays the most?

The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sioux Falls, at $35,610 per year.

How many jobs are there in this occupation here?

The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in East South Dakota, SD. Self-employed workers are not included.

Source and methodology

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary in East South Dakota, SD (2025): $28,230 Median | Salary Explorer