Career Explorer Protective services
Human edge, growing
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.
Among the most resilient careers: more resilient than 96% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is low (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it low), and US jobs are projected to change by +5.5% by 2035, faster than average. The work leans on emotional intelligence and ethical judgement.
AI struggles with much of this work, and US employers are expected to hire more people into it than average.
- Median pay (2025)
- $33,580
- Job growth to 2035
- +5.5%
- Openings a year
- 45,400
- People doing it (2025)
- 162,000
- Usual route in
- No formal credential, then short on-the-job training
Where people already use AI for this work
- Investigate individuals' background, behavior, or activities
- Provide general assistance to others, such as customers, patrons, or motorists
- Perform athletic activities for fitness, competition, or artistic purposes
From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).
Work AI rarely helps with
- Notify others of emergencies or problems
- Intervene in crisis situations or emergencies
- Monitor safety or security of work areas, facilities, or properties
What the work looks like
- 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.
From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.
Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook
- OrderliesHuman edge, growing, Index 98, +4.0%
- Medical equipment preparersHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +10.8%
- Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialistsHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +13.1%
- Home health and personal care aidesHuman edge, growing, Index 99, +18.1%
Also known as: Lifeguard, Ocean Lifeguard, Pool Attendant, Ski Patroller, Beach Attendant, Beach Lifeguard, Marine Safety Officer, Ocean Lifeguard Specialist.
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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.