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Assistant swim coach vs head coach

The differences between assistant swim coaches and head coaches can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an assistant swim coach and a head coach. Additionally, a head coach has an average salary of $44,062, which is higher than the $36,585 average annual salary of an assistant swim coach.

The top three skills for an assistant swim coach include CPR, lifeguard and NCAA. The most important skills for a head coach are CPR, NCAA, and athletic program.

Assistant swim coach vs head coach overview

Assistant Swim CoachHead Coach
Yearly salary$36,585$44,062
Hourly rate$17.59$21.18
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs16,42622,027
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3636
Years of experience66

What does an assistant swim coach do?

An assistant swim coach provides support to swim coaches and players by performing various tasks. Part of their job includes managing schedules, handling calls and correspondence, preparing documentation, and organizing files. They also help swim coaches by facilitating warm-up exercises, providing one-on-one assistance to the players in need of guidance, monitoring and replenishing supplies, preparing facilities, maintaining records, and implementing safety guidelines. Moreover, they work together with the swim coach in monitoring the players' progress and developing strategies to enhance their skills.

What does a head coach do?

A head coach is responsible for managing teams, monitoring each player's performance, conditioning the team's skills by conducting training sessions, and encouraging the trainees to reach their full potential. Head coaches assess the team's coordination during training or a game, adjusting strategies and improving techniques as needed. A head coach evaluates the team's strengths and weaknesses while educating them on the proper sports ethic. A head coach must have strong leadership and organizational skills to develop plans and reach set goals.

Assistant swim coach vs head coach salary

Assistant swim coaches and head coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.

Assistant Swim CoachHead Coach
Average salary$36,585$44,062
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $56,000Between $30,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CitySanta Cruz, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyKenyon CollegeKern Community College District
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between assistant swim coach and head coach education

There are a few differences between an assistant swim coach and a head coach in terms of educational background:

Assistant Swim CoachHead Coach
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Assistant swim coach vs head coach demographics

Here are the differences between assistant swim coaches' and head coaches' demographics:

Assistant Swim CoachHead Coach
Average age3636
Gender ratioMale, 42.4% Female, 57.6%Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between assistant swim coach and head coach duties and responsibilities

Assistant swim coach example responsibilities.

  • Manage lifeguard staff on daily chores and responsibilities.
  • Perform additional responsibilities as deemed appropriate by school and district supervisors such as organizing and managing elementary school mathematics information nights.
  • Train to preform CPR and a along with first aid as necessary.
  • Process bi weekly payroll for lifeguard staff.
  • Assist freshman and transfers with NAIA eligibility center.
  • Design workouts with scientific and practical applications for NAIA collegiate athletes.
  • Show more

Head coach example responsibilities.

  • Coach and lead a group of 50 kids between 10 and 12 years old.
  • Manage JV squad during practice and games, preparing them to move to the varsity level.
  • Lead a professional hockey player camp during the summer consisting of NHL, AHL, NCAA hockey players.
  • Teach young student-athletes to relentlessly pursue their goals and achieve academic success while establishing an exemplary foundation of leadership.
  • Serve in a primary leadership role to manage training academy program logistics and to coordinate team participation in national tournaments.
  • Certify in CPR to ensure the safety of athletes.
  • Show more

Assistant swim coach vs head coach skills

Common assistant swim coach skills
  • CPR, 76%
  • Lifeguard, 4%
  • NCAA, 4%
  • Water Safety, 3%
  • Head Swim, 2%
  • Assist Head, 1%
Common head coach skills
  • CPR, 31%
  • NCAA, 7%
  • Athletic Program, 5%
  • Player Development, 4%
  • Softball, 4%
  • Leadership, 4%

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