Lifeguards, ski patrollers and other recreational protective service workers patrol or monitor swimming areas, slopes and trails, rescue people from hazardous situations, warn people about rules and safety, record environmental conditions, give first aid, inspect equipment and complete incident reports. Almost all of that is physical, in-person work.
The short answer: very low exposure, with growth projected. The ILO's 2025 index rates the closest group, protective services workers not elsewhere classified, as not exposed with a score of 0.20. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5 percent growth for recreational protective service workers from 2025 to 2035, faster than average, with about 45,400 openings a year. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed lifeguards are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Protective Services Workers Not Elsewhere Classified | Not exposed | 0.20 |
The ILO scores groups of occupations, so this is the closest group for lifeguards, not a score for the job title itself.
The ILO index measures generative AI, not robots or automated machines.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Recreational protective service workers | Grow 5% | About 45,400 |
The BLS ties growth to public interest in recreational activities such as swimming and skiing, and says a growing focus on lifelong well-being is expected to boost demand for athletic recreation. These workers will still be needed to monitor recreation sites and respond to emergencies. Many projected openings come from replacing workers who leave or retire.
Where AI is helping
- Drafting incident reports from notes.
- Scheduling shifts and staff coverage.
- Preparing safety signs and training materials.
What stays with lifeguards
- Watching: monitoring swimmers, skiers and trail users.
- Rescue: reaching people in danger using rescue techniques and equipment.
- First aid: caring for people until medical help arrives.
- Checking AI help: generated reports and safety materials can be wrong, which NIST calls confabulation (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
How the job is changing
The BLS expects more demand from swimming, skiing and other recreation. The core of the job, watching and rescuing people, is in-person work. This page is general information, not career advice.
See also will AI replace recreation workers?, will AI replace paramedics? and will AI replace security guards?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for recreational protective service workers at $33,580 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: no formal educational credential. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace lifeguards?
Not on current projections. The BLS projects 5 percent growth for recreational protective service workers from 2025 to 2035, with about 45,400 openings a year.
How exposed are lifeguards to AI?
The closest ILO group, protective services workers not elsewhere classified, is not exposed, with a score of 0.20.
What drives demand?
The BLS points to public interest in swimming, skiing and other recreation, and a growing focus on lifelong well-being.
What do lifeguards do?
They monitor swimming areas, slopes or trails, rescue people, give first aid, inspect equipment and write incident reports.