SOC 33-9092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Wisconsin is $28,570 a year, trailing the national median of $33,580 by 14.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Wisconsin is $28,570 a year, trailing the national median of $33,580 by 14.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $26,250 and $33,610. The lowest tenth earn under $22,920, while the highest tenth earn more than $35,710.
The area has 3,350 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.1 of every thousand jobs. Wisconsin ranks number 37th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Kenosha records the highest median at $30,980. Of the 728 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 720th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,920 | −31.7% |
| 25th | $26,250 | −21.8% |
| Median (50th) | $28,570 | −14.9% |
| 75th | $33,610 | +0.1% |
| 90th | $35,710 | +6.3% |
| Mean | $29,710 | −11.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kenosha | $30,980 | 90 | |
| 2 | Madison | $30,830 | 430 | |
| 3 | Green Bay | $30,560 | 290 | |
| 4 | Milwaukee | $29,060 | 880 | |
| 5 | Appleton | $28,480 | 250 | |
| 6 | Eau Claire | $28,090 | 110 | |
| 7 | Oshkosh | $27,940 | 120 | |
| 8 | La Crosse | $27,780 | 90 | |
| 9 | Janesville | $25,790 | 70 | |
| 10 | Wausau | $25,690 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $28,570 goes as far as $30,361 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,570as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,361US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,570 a year, 14.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,920 to $35,710 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,350 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 37th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Kenosha, at $30,980.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $28,570, or $13.74 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 Wisconsin is 14.9% 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 Wisconsin earns more than $35,710 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,920 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 Kenosha, at $30,980 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,350 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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