SOC 33-9092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — Michigan
Michigan · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Michigan is $29,760 a year, trailing the national median of $33,580 by 11.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Michigan is $29,760 a year, trailing the national median of $33,580 by 11.4%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $27,350 and $35,360. The lowest tenth earn under $25,960, while the highest tenth earn more than $47,630.
The area has 3,770 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.84 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Michigan ranks number 27th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Ann Arbor records the highest median at $42,330. Of the 774 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 763rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,960 | −22.7% |
| 25th | $27,350 | −18.6% |
| Median (50th) | $29,760 | −11.4% |
| 75th | $35,360 | +5.3% |
| 90th | $47,630 | +41.8% |
| Mean | $33,670 | +0.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ann Arbor | $42,330 | 390 | |
| 2 | Traverse City | $39,270 | 120 | |
| 3 | Muskegon | $35,150 | 50 | |
| 4 | Detroit | $29,540 | 1,500 | |
| 5 | Lansing | $29,440 | 160 | |
| 6 | Flint | $28,780 | 50 | |
| 7 | Grand Rapids | $28,560 | 530 | |
| 8 | Niles | $28,170 | 100 | |
| 9 | Kalamazoo | $27,380 | 70 | |
| 10 | Bay City | $25,960 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $29,760 goes as far as $30,936 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,760as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,936US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,760 a year, 11.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $25,960 to $47,630 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,770 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 27th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Ann Arbor, at $42,330.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Michigan?
The median annual wage is $29,760, or $14.31 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 Michigan is 11.4% 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 Michigan earns more than $47,630 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $25,960 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 Ann Arbor, at $42,330 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,770 jobs in this occupation in Michigan. 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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