Cover image by wplynn via Flickr
The women and men that so bravely keep us safe out on the mountain are some of the lowest paid workers in America according to an article by Ski-Patrol.net. While ski patrolling might seem like a dream job to uninitiated, it might come as a shock that on average they are paid less than parking lot attendants.
The mean hourly rate for ski patrollers was a measly $10.05 according to Ski-Patrol.net’s analysis of the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ski patrollers and other recreational protective service workers rank 1,363rd on the compensation list of US occupations out of a total of 1,395. This figure is particularly alarming when you factor in the amount of training many ski patrollers have dedicated to their occupation. 
While the seasonal nature of the job factors into the low annual take home, ski patrollers are also among the lowest paid workers on an hourly basis. There are obvious benefits to the job, which in many cases far out way minuscule wages, that keep ski patrollers happy enough to keep our resorts safe but if you are searching for a high paying job where you can simultaneously enjoy the outdoors, you may want to look elsewhere.
Average hourly pay for ski patrollers based on location! PC: Ski-Patroller.net
