Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Recreational protective service workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. To qualify for jobs, candidates usually need athletic ability in a related recreational sport, such as swimming, skiing, or biking. Certification is often required. PayThe median annual wage for recreational protective service workers was $33,580 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of recreational protective service workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 45,400 openings for recreational protective service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreational protective service workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreational protective service workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about recreational protective service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for recreational protective service workers was $33,580 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of recreational protective service workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 45,400 openings for recreational protective service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreational protective service workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreational protective service workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about recreational protective service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of recreational protective service workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 45,400 openings for recreational protective service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreational protective service workers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreational protective service workers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about recreational protective service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Recreational protective service workers monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide aid and protection to participants.
Work Environment
Many recreational protective service workers spend much of their time outdoors and are exposed to varied weather conditions. Part-time work is common, and jobs are often seasonal.
How to Become a Recreational Protective Service Worker
Recreational protective service workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. To qualify for jobs, candidates usually need athletic ability in a related recreational sport, such as swimming, skiing, or biking. Certification is often required.
Pay
The median annual wage for recreational protective service workers was $33,580 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of recreational protective service workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 45,400 openings for recreational protective service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreational protective service workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreational protective service workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about recreational protective service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Many recreational protective service workers spend much of their time outdoors and are exposed to varied weather conditions. Part-time work is common, and jobs are often seasonal.
How to Become a Recreational Protective Service Worker
Recreational protective service workers typically do not need formal education to enter the occupation. To qualify for jobs, candidates usually need athletic ability in a related recreational sport, such as swimming, skiing, or biking. Certification is often required.
Pay
The median annual wage for recreational protective service workers was $33,580 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of recreational protective service workers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 45,400 openings for recreational protective service workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreational protective service workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreational protective service workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about recreational protective service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for recreational protective service workers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of recreational protective service workers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about recreational protective service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about recreational protective service workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.