SalaryExplorer

SOC 33-9092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersNorthwest Iowa

Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared

$21,570 /year
$10.37per hour
140jobs in area
35.8%vs US median

At $21,570, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers, 35.8% beneath the national figure of $33,580.

Wage distribution · annual

Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners

US MEDIAN $33,580MEDIAN$21,57075TH$25,46090TH$27,120

Salary overview

At $21,570, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers, 35.8% beneath the national figure of $33,580. Pay ranges from under $20,560 at the tenth percentile to more than $27,120 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $21,190 to $25,460.

Employment stands at 140, or 0.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Cedar Rapids records the highest median at $31,460. Of the 368 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 366th.

Percentile breakdown

Annual wages by percentile · Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area · May 2025
PercentileAnnualvs US median
10th$20,560−38.8%
25th$21,190−36.9%
Median (50th)$21,570−35.8%
75th$25,460−24.2%
90th$27,120−19.2%
Mean$23,510−30.0%

Other metro areas in Iowa

Median annual wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers, by metro area
#Metro areaMedianJobsRelative
1Cedar Rapids$31,460200
2Davenport$31,200160
3Iowa City$30,62060
4Sioux City$28,08050
5Des Moines$26,480370
6Ames$23,64040
7Waterloo$23,19090

What the pay is worth locally

Prices in Northwest Iowa run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $21,570 goes as far as $24,567 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 26.8% below the national median in real terms.

Published median

$21,570as reported by BLS

Local price level

87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024

Adjusted for local prices

$24,567US average = 100 · BEA 2024

Key takeaways

  • Median pay is $21,570 a year, 35.8% below the national median.
  • Published pay spans $20,560 to $27,120 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
  • The area has 140 jobs in this occupation.
  • The highest-paying metro area covered is Cedar Rapids, at $31,460.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Northwest Iowa, IA?

The median annual wage is $21,570, or $10.37 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 Northwest Iowa, IA is 35.8% 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 Northwest Iowa, IA earns more than $27,120 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.

What is the starting range?

The tenth percentile wage is $20,560 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 Cedar Rapids, at $31,460 per year.

How many jobs are there in this occupation here?

The survey estimates 140 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Iowa, IA. 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 Northwest Iowa, IA (2025): $21,570 Median | Salary Explorer