Careers · Explore one path
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
Other titles employers use
Beach Attendant · Beach Lifeguard · Lifeguard · Marine Safety Officer · Ocean Lifeguard · Ocean Lifeguard Specialist · Pool Attendant · Pool Lifeguard
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Patrol or monitor recreational areas, such as trails, slopes, or swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
- Rescue distressed persons, using rescue techniques and equipment.
- Contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.
- Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
- Warn recreational participants of inclement weather, unsafe areas, or illegal conduct.
- Maintain quality of pool water by testing chemical levels.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, helping and organizing work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Monitoring
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Medicine and Dentistry
Useful strengths
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Far Vision
- Oral Comprehension
- Selective Attention
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.0 | Shared rooms, but not shoulder to shoulder |
| On your feet | 3.1 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.5 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.6 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Most employers do not ask for a formal credential. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- High school or less 61%
- A certificate or some college 22%
- A two-year degree 16%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Spreadsheet software
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Instant messaging software
- Desktop publishing software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 13,800
- Job openings each year
- 3,980
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 10.4%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 13,800 | 3,980 | 10.4% |
| Florida | 11,000 | 3,160 | 15.8% |
| Texas | 8,500 | 2,450 | 13.3% |
| New York | 6,810 | 120 | 21.6% |
| Illinois | 6,470 | 1,870 | 8.9% |
| Wisconsin | 6,230 | 1,800 | 10.7% |
| Pennsylvania | 5,880 | 1,710 | 5.9% |
| Virginia | 5,800 | 1,680 | 8.4% |
| Colorado | 5,320 | 1,520 | 16.2% |
| Ohio | 4,610 | 1,350 | 3.4% |
| North Carolina | 4,590 | 1,310 | 22.7% |
| New Jersey | 4,160 | 1,200 | 9.8% |
| Georgia | 3,390 | 960 | 24.6% |
| Maryland | 3,090 | 890 | 14.4% |
| Washington | 2,860 | 880 | 21.2% |
| South Carolina | 2,750 | 790 | 11.3% |
| Missouri | 2,670 | 780 | 6.0% |
| Nevada | 2,640 | 760 | 12.8% |
| Michigan | 2,410 | 710 | — |
| Indiana | 2,350 | 680 | 7.8% |
| Arizona | 2,320 | 670 | 12.6% |
| Iowa | 2,270 | 660 | 10.2% |
| Utah | 2,120 | 600 | 22.5% |
| Minnesota | 2,030 | 590 | 7.4% |
| Kansas | 1,800 | 520 | 6.5% |
| Tennessee | 1,680 | 480 | 15.1% |
| Kentucky | 1,290 | 370 | 12.2% |
| Oklahoma | 1,180 | 340 | 11.3% |
| Idaho | 1,020 | 290 | 20.0% |
| Massachusetts | 1,010 | 290 | 12.2% |
| Nebraska | 970 | 280 | 7.8% |
| Connecticut | 890 | 260 | 12.7% |
| Alabama | 870 | 250 | 10.1% |
| Oregon | 800 | 230 | 12.7% |
| New Mexico | 660 | 190 | 11.9% |
| Louisiana | 640 | 180 | 8.5% |
| Alaska | 600 | 170 | 9.1% |
| Arkansas | 570 | 160 | 14.0% |
| South Dakota | 510 | 150 | 6.3% |
| Montana | 500 | 140 | 16.3% |
| North Dakota | 480 | 140 | 9.1% |
| Wyoming | 450 | 130 | 15.4% |
| District of Columbia | 410 | 120 | 10.8% |
| Delaware | 390 | 120 | 2.6% |
| Mississippi | 330 | 100 | 10.0% |
| West Virginia | 280 | 80 | 7.7% |
| Maine | 270 | 80 | — |
| New Hampshire | 200 | 60 | 11.1% |
| Vermont | 170 | 50 | 21.4% |
| Rhode Island | 140 | 40 | 7.7% |
| Puerto Rico | 100 | 30 | 11.1% |
| Virgin Islands | 40 | 10 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Oregon State University
- Degrees each year
- 155
- Admit rate
- 79%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Degrees each year
- 129
- Admit rate
- 30%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- Degrees each year
- 75
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
- Degrees each year
- 58
- Admit rate
- 74%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
- Degrees each year
- 51
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $16,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 50
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Auburn University
- Degrees each year
- 46
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Degrees each year
- 46
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Annual cost after aid
- $19,000
Compare every college offering environmental/natural resources management and policy