Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary in Des Moines, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA

Median annual salary $26,520 -21.4% vs national
Median hourly $12.75
10th percentile $22,250
90th percentile $30,140
Employed locally 270
National median $33,720

Compare Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary & buying power

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Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
in
Des Moines, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,250
    25th
    $22,690
    50th (median)
    $26,520
    75th
    $28,170
    90th
    $30,140

    Des Moines economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,209 2023 • Census ACS
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary vs area income 31% Median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary is 69% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,250
    District of Columbia $58,640
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $56,660
    Hawaii $55,540
    Urban Honolulu, HI $51,990
    Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area $47,150

    Nearby metros — Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $58,640
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $43,450
    California $42,520
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $42,270
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $41,240
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $38,750

    Related occupations in Des Moines, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,410
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $85,420
    Firefighters $51,580
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $56,590
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $117,020
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $79,640

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers make per hour in Des Moines?

    The median hourly wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Des Moines, IA is $12.75, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $13.96 or more per hour.

    Is Des Moines above or below average for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salaries?

    The median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary in Des Moines, IA is 21.4% below the national median of $33,720. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Des Moines?

    Entry-level Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,250 per year in Des Moines, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,690.