SalaryExplorer

SOC 33-9092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS

Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersSouthwest Colorado

Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared

$35,360 /year
$17.00per hour
+5.3%vs US median

At $35,360, median pay for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Southwest Colorado, CO tracks the national median of $33,580 closely.

Wage distribution · annual

Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners

US MEDIAN $33,58010TH$32,790MEDIAN$35,36075TH$43,10090TH$45,430

Salary overview

At $35,360, median pay for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Southwest Colorado, CO tracks the national median of $33,580 closely. Pay ranges from under $32,790 at the tenth percentile to more than $45,430 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $34,230 to $43,100.

Within the state, Denver records the highest median at $36,620. Of the 348 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 340th.

Percentile breakdown

Annual wages by percentile · Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area · May 2025
PercentileAnnualvs US median
10th$32,790−2.4%
25th$34,230+1.9%
Median (50th)$35,360+5.3%
75th$43,100+28.4%
90th$45,430+35.3%
Mean$37,880+12.8%

Other metro areas in Colorado

Median annual wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers, by metro area
#Metro areaMedianJobsRelative
1Denver$36,6202,820
2Boulder$35,500540
3Fort Collins$34,580220
4Greeley$33,080210
5Colorado Springs$32,180370
6Grand Junction$30,80080

What the pay is worth locally

Prices in Southwest Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $35,360 buys what $34,297 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 2.1% above the national median in real terms.

Published median

$35,360as reported by BLS

Local price level

103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024

Adjusted for local prices

$34,297US average = 100 · BEA 2024

Key takeaways

  • Median pay is $35,360 a year, 5.3% above the national median.
  • Published pay spans $32,790 to $45,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
  • The highest-paying metro area covered is Denver, at $36,620.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Southwest Colorado, CO?

The median annual wage is $35,360, or $17.00 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 Southwest Colorado, CO is 5.3% higher. 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 Southwest Colorado, CO earns more than $45,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.

What is the starting range?

The tenth percentile wage is $32,790 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 Denver, at $36,620 per year.

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 Southwest Colorado, CO (2025): $35,360 Median | Salary Explorer