SOC 33-9092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — Indianapolis
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN · 9 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Indianapolis, IN is $28,810 a year, trailing the national median of $33,580 by 14.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Indianapolis, IN is $28,810 a year, trailing the national median of $33,580 by 14.2%. Half of workers earn between $27,490 and $30,730. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $25,570 and the ninetieth at $32,270.
The area has 1,400 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.25 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Elkhart leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $32,130. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 612th of 621 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,570 | −23.9% |
| 25th | $27,490 | −18.1% |
| Median (50th) | $28,810 | −14.2% |
| 75th | $30,730 | −8.5% |
| 90th | $32,270 | −3.9% |
| Mean | $29,210 | −13.0% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elkhart | $32,130 | 30 | |
| 2 | Lafayette | $31,090 | 140 | |
| 3 | Michigan City | $30,960 | 40 | |
| 4 | South Bend | $29,500 | 100 | |
| 5 | Muncie | $28,750 | 40 | |
| 6 | Fort Wayne | $28,720 | 270 | |
| 7 | Evansville | $27,020 | 180 | |
| 8 | Terre Haute | $26,730 | 60 | |
| 9 | Columbus | $23,640 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Indianapolis run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $28,810 goes as far as $30,879 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,810as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,879US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,810 a year, 14.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,570 to $32,270 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,400 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Elkhart, at $32,130.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Indianapolis, IN?
The median annual wage is $28,810, or $13.85 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 Indianapolis, IN is 14.2% 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 Indianapolis, IN earns more than $32,270 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,570 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 Elkhart, at $32,130 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,400 jobs in this occupation in Indianapolis, IN. 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.
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