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Aquatic director vs pool manager

The differences between aquatic directors and pool managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an aquatic director has an average salary of $39,785, which is higher than the $35,205 average annual salary of a pool manager.

The top three skills for an aquatic director include CPR, water safety and emergency situations. The most important skills for a pool manager are customer service, aquatic facility, and cleanliness.

Aquatic director vs pool manager overview

Aquatic DirectorPool Manager
Yearly salary$39,785$35,205
Hourly rate$19.13$16.93
Growth rate10%-
Number of jobs20,84687,939
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

What does an aquatic director do?

An aquatic director is a person who manages swimming pools used in a facility such as a school or a university. It is the aquatics director's task to ensure safety in and around any pool, adhere to health protocols, and help promote and create pool-related activities. It is also the aquatic director's job to ensure that all safety protocols imposed by the school, university, or the state are followed and that all safety measures are observed. The aquatic director's added responsibility is to educate people on all safety policies, have an experienced lifesaver crew ready for emergencies and ensure the fun and experience of people using all aquatic facilities.

What does a pool manager do?

A pool manager is in charge of overseeing the daily operations at indoor and outdoor pools. Among their responsibilities include managing budgets and employee schedules, delegating tasks to staff, developing and implementing marketing strategies, and training new workforce members. There are also instances where they must produce progress reports, liaise with vendors or suppliers, and address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, a pool manager must monitor the progress of all operations, enforcing the company's safety policies and regulations to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Aquatic director vs pool manager salary

Aquatic directors and pool managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Aquatic DirectorPool Manager
Average salary$39,785$35,205
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $65,000Between $24,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyThe Medical Center IncPortland State University
Best paying industry--

Differences between aquatic director and pool manager education

There are a few differences between an aquatic director and a pool manager in terms of educational background:

Aquatic DirectorPool Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 74%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorKinesiologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Aquatic director vs pool manager demographics

Here are the differences between aquatic directors' and pool managers' demographics:

Aquatic DirectorPool Manager
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 47.0% Female, 53.0%Male, 53.7% Female, 46.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 7.2% White, 66.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between aquatic director and pool manager duties and responsibilities

Aquatic director example responsibilities.

  • Organize and run daily and evening group activities.
  • Earn certification as national trainer in aquatics, wellness, CPR and first aid.
  • Audit water instructors class curriculum (WSI, aerobics, physical therapy, AFYAP) and coach when necessary.
  • Check pool chemicals and maintain water quality, oversee all swimming activities and perform first aid and CPR as needed.
  • Maintain spreadsheets, payments, payroll, orientations, worker's compensation, terminations, hiring, & disciplinary forms.
  • Monitor and correct bi-weekly payroll.
  • Show more

Pool manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage lifeguards, maintain pool cleanliness, safety, and customer satisfaction
  • Train lifeguards and swim instructors in first aid, CPR and lifesaving skills.
  • Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation if need.
  • Implement weekly scheduling, payroll procedures and instructional leadership.
  • Provide logistic support for VIP delegations.
  • Help underprivileged kids learn new skills.
  • Show more

Aquatic director vs pool manager skills

Common aquatic director skills
  • CPR, 24%
  • Water Safety, 8%
  • Emergency Situations, 8%
  • Adaptive, 6%
  • Safety Regulations, 5%
  • Kids, 5%
Common pool manager skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Aquatic Facility, 13%
  • Cleanliness, 8%
  • Lifeguard Training, 7%
  • Water Safety, 7%
  • CPO, 5%

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