What does a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary really buy you in Washington?
Washington is 9.8% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31
Washington's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 109.8, meaning prices are 9.8% higher the national average. A Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers earning $38,510 in Washington has the equivalent purchasing power of $35,072 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Washington's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $34,250 | $31,193 | $-3,056 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $35,570 | $32,395 | $-3,174 |
| Median (P50) | $38,510 | $35,072 | $-3,437 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $45,020 | $41,001 | $-4,018 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $47,220 | $43,005 | $-4,214 |
While $38,510 sounds high, Washington's elevated cost of living erases 9% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $35,072. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Where does Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Washington ranks #6 out of 50 states for Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.
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A Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Washington earns a median salary of $38,510 per year. After adjusting for Washington's cost of living (RPP=109.8), the real purchasing power is $35,072 — a -8.9% difference.
Washington's cost of living is 9.8% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Washington is 109.8 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers in Washington: $38,510 x (100 / 109.8) = $35,072. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers's nominal salary of $38,510 in Washington has 8.9% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $35,072. However, Washington may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.