SalaryExplorer

SOC 33-9092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersSouth Bend

South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI · 9 metro areas compared

$29,500 /year
$14.18per hour
100jobs in area
12.2%vs US median

In South Bend, IN the median wage is $29,500.

Wage distribution · annual

Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners

US MEDIAN $33,58010TH$24,15025TH$27,450MEDIAN$29,50075TH$30,77090TH$33,280

Salary overview

In South Bend, IN the median wage is $29,500. That is 12.2% lower than the national median of $33,580. Pay ranges from under $24,150 at the tenth percentile to more than $33,280 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $27,450 to $30,770.

The area has 100 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.76 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Elkhart records the highest median at $32,130. Of the 387 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 377th.

Percentile breakdown

Annual wages by percentile · South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI · May 2025
PercentileAnnualvs US median
10th$24,150−28.1%
25th$27,450−18.3%
Median (50th)$29,500−12.2%
75th$30,770−8.4%
90th$33,280−0.9%
Mean$29,310−12.7%

Other metro areas in Indiana

Median annual wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers, by metro area
#Metro areaMedianJobsRelative
1Elkhart$32,13030
2Lafayette$31,090140
3Michigan City$30,96040
4Indianapolis$28,8101,400
5Muncie$28,75040
6Fort Wayne$28,720270
7Evansville$27,020180
8Terre Haute$26,73060
9Columbus$23,64090

What the pay is worth locally

Prices in South Bend run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $29,500 goes as far as $31,618 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.8% below the national median in real terms.

Published median

$29,500as reported by BLS

Local price level

93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024

Adjusted for local prices

$31,618US average = 100 · BEA 2024

Key takeaways

  • Median pay is $29,500 a year, 12.2% below the national median.
  • Published pay spans $24,150 to $33,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
  • The area has 100 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 South Bend, IN?

The median annual wage is $29,500, or $14.18 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 South Bend, IN is 12.2% 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 South Bend, IN earns more than $33,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.

What is the starting range?

The tenth percentile wage is $24,150 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 100 jobs in this occupation in South Bend, 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.

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary in South Bend, IN (2025): $29,500 Median | Salary Explorer