Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $37,520 +11.3% vs national
Median hourly $18.04
10th percentile $34,820
90th percentile $48,940
Employed locally 250
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
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $34,820
    25th
    $35,860
    50th (median)
    $37,520
    75th
    $47,110
    90th
    $48,940

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary vs area income 34% Median Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary is 66% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $45,190
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $43,450
    North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area $43,450
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $43,190
    California $42,520
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $42,270

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards$46,030
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$123,140
    Firefighters$74,130
    Correctional Officers and Jailers$81,910
    Protective Service Workers, All Other$38,910
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$158,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Santa Cruz, CA is $18.04, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.01 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, CA is 11.3% above 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers (10th percentile) earn around $34,820 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,860.