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Beach lifeguard salary
Average beach lifeguard salary
$13.97
Beach Lifeguard Salary Overview
The salary for beach lifeguards varies widely across different regions and is influenced by factors such as location and experience. In the United States, the average salary is approximately $29,050 per year, equating to about $14 per hour. Some states offer higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for lifeguard services. For instance, beach lifeguards in states like California and Florida often earn more, reflecting their higher tourist traffic.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level lifeguards typically start at around $13.97 per hour, while those with several years of experience can earn upwards of $20 per hour. Lifeguards with specialized certifications or those in supervisory roles often see even higher wages. Additionally, seasonal work can affect annual income, as lifeguards may only be employed during peak beach seasons.
Job Opportunities and Growth
As a beach lifeguard, you not only gain valuable skills in rescue techniques and first aid but also have opportunities for career advancement. Pursuing certifications in advanced lifesaving or water safety can open doors to management roles or full-time positions in aquatic facilities. With a growing focus on water safety, the demand for trained lifeguards is expected to remain strong.
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Where can a Beach Lifeguard earn more?
Beach lifeguard salary estimates from across the web
Average beach lifeguard salary by state
The highest-paying states for beach lifeguards are California, Maine, and Washington. The lowest average beach lifeguard salary states are Tennessee, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for beach lifeguards
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $36,484 | $17.54 |
| 2 | Maine | $35,496 | $17.07 |
| 3 | Arizona | $31,786 | $15.28 |
| 4 | Washington | $35,201 | $16.92 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $32,347 | $15.55 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $33,721 | $16.21 |
| 7 | Florida | $29,546 | $14.20 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $29,156 | $14.02 |
| 9 | Idaho | $33,962 | $16.33 |
| 10 | Vermont | $33,563 | $16.14 |
| 11 | Nevada | $27,748 | $13.34 |
| 12 | Colorado | $29,575 | $14.22 |
| 13 | Alaska | $32,407 | $15.58 |
| 14 | New York | $31,327 | $15.06 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $29,539 | $14.20 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $28,510 | $13.71 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $26,853 | $12.91 |
| 18 | Delaware | $28,343 | $13.63 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $29,322 | $14.10 |
| 20 | Minnesota | $27,839 | $13.38 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $28,604 | $13.75 |
| 22 | Maryland | $28,061 | $13.49 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $27,039 | $13.00 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $26,737 | $12.85 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $28,093 | $13.51 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $27,106 | $13.03 |
| 27 | Montana | $25,918 | $12.46 |
| 28 | Utah | $26,744 | $12.86 |
| 29 | Illinois | $27,095 | $13.03 |
| 30 | Ohio | $25,982 | $12.49 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $30,619 | $14.72 |
| 32 | Texas | $26,447 | $12.71 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $25,215 | $12.12 |
| 34 | Virginia | $26,349 | $12.67 |
| 35 | Oregon | $27,558 | $13.25 |
| 36 | Arkansas | $26,013 | $12.51 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $25,917 | $12.46 |
| 38 | District of Columbia | $27,882 | $13.40 |
| 39 | Michigan | $25,760 | $12.38 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $25,562 | $12.29 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $25,197 | $12.11 |
| 42 | Missouri | $25,124 | $12.08 |
| 43 | Kansas | $22,670 | $10.90 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $23,591 | $11.34 |
| 45 | North Carolina | $24,035 | $11.56 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $24,604 | $11.83 |
| 47 | Iowa | $20,653 | $9.93 |
| 48 | Alabama | $23,978 | $11.53 |
| 49 | Indiana | $20,426 | $9.82 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $22,397 | $10.77 |
| 51 | Georgia | $21,671 | $10.42 |
Highest paying cities for beach lifeguards
The highest-paying cities for beach lifeguards are Manteca, CA, Billerica, MA, and Scottsdale, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manteca, CA | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| 2 | Billerica, MA | $33,780 | $16.24 |
| 3 | Scottsdale, AZ | $31,714 | $15.25 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $31,289 | $15.04 |
| 5 | Sarasota, FL | $29,613 | $14.24 |
| 6 | Colorado Springs, CO | $29,546 | $14.20 |
| 7 | Newark, DE | $28,391 | $13.65 |
| 8 | Pikesville, MD | $28,147 | $13.53 |
| 9 | New Brunswick, NJ | $28,088 | $13.50 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $27,854 | $13.39 |
| 11 | Gurnee, IL | $27,426 | $13.19 |
| 12 | Allentown, PA | $26,921 | $12.94 |
| 13 | Alexandria, VA | $26,773 | $12.87 |
| 14 | Grapevine, TX | $26,238 | $12.61 |
| 15 | Mason, OH | $25,254 | $12.14 |
| 16 | Charleston, SC | $25,180 | $12.11 |
| 17 | Lees Summit, MO | $25,152 | $12.09 |
| 18 | Concord, NC | $23,853 | $11.47 |
| 19 | Kansas City, KS | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| 20 | Marietta, GA | $21,692 | $10.43 |
Beach lifeguard salary details
A beach lifeguard's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $36,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a beach lifeguard's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 75th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| Average | $29,050 | $2,421 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying beach lifeguard jobs
The highest paying types of beach lifeguards are ski patrol director, rescue boat operator, and aquatics specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swim Instructor | $25,815 | $2,151 | $12.41 | 24,849 |
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | $27,743 | $2,312 | $13.34 | 27,819 |
| Ocean Lifeguard | $29,909 | $2,492 | $14.38 | 3,316 |
Top companies hiring beach lifeguards now:
Which companies pay beach lifeguards the most?
Beach lifeguard salaries at Bay Head Yacht Club and Gettysburg College are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average beach lifeguard salary at companies like State of Connecticut and City of Dallas Employees are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bay Head Yacht Club | $37,503 | $18.03 |
| 2 | Gettysburg College | $34,754 | $16.71 |
| 3 | State of Connecticut | $32,764 | $15.75 |
| 4 | City of Dallas Employees | $32,620 | $15.68 |
| 5 | Loudoun County Social Svc | $32,484 | $15.62 |
| 6 | Messiah College | $32,302 | $15.53 |
| 7 | Skidmore College | $32,051 | $15.41 |
| 8 | HealthTrust | $31,889 | $15.33 |
| 9 | Worcester Polytechnic Institute | $31,517 | $15.15 |
| 10 | Great Wolf Resorts | $31,227 | $15.01 |
| 11 | Cadence Education | $31,092 | $14.95 |
| 12 | Dedham Health & Athletic Complex | $30,813 | $14.81 |
| 13 | Buffalo Lodging Associates, Llc | $30,598 | $14.71 |
| 14 | Duke University Health System | $30,312 | $14.57 |
| 15 | Sparrow Health System | $30,116 | $14.48 |
| 16 | Promus Hotel Corp. | $29,712 | $14.28 |
| 17 | Hakkasan Group | $29,476 | $14.17 |
| 18 | Approved Cash | $29,186 | $14.03 |
| 19 | EXOS | $29,098 | $13.99 |
| 20 | Anoka County | $28,803 | $13.85 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Beach lifeguard salary trends
The average beach lifeguard salary has risen by $7,106 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average beach lifeguard earned $21,944 annually, but today, they earn $29,050 a year. That works out to a 23% change in pay for beach lifeguards over the last decade.
Compare beach lifeguard salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average beach lifeguard salary over time
Compare beach lifeguard salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Beach lifeguard salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $29,100 | $13.97 | +6.4% |
| 2024 | $27,200 | $13.07 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $26,000 | $12.51 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $24,700 | $11.88 | +4.7% |
| 2021 | $23,600 | $11.33 | +3.9% |
Recently added beach lifeguard salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth College | Waterfront Lifeguard | Hanover, NH | 06/30/2025 | $35,479 |
| Life Time Fitness | Summer Lifeguard | Berkeley Heights, NJ | 06/27/2025 | $34,436 |
| URBN Playground | Seasonal Lifeguard | New York, NY | 06/21/2025 | $34,436 |
| Okaloosa County, Fl | Beach Lifeguard (Temporary) | Crestview, FL | 06/20/2025 | $38,693 |
| YMCA of Rapid City | Summer Lifeguards | Custer, SD | 06/12/2025 | $27,214 |
| Cadence Education | Seasonal Lifeguard | Glen Allen, VA | 06/11/2025 | $32,307 |
| Aquasafe Pool Management | Summer Lifeguard | Dover, DE | 06/10/2025 | $20,870 |
| YMCA of Greater Louisville | Calypso Cove Lifeguard | Louisville, KY | 06/05/2025 | $27,131 |
| City of Norfolk, Va | Beach Lifeguard | Norfolk, VA | 06/05/2025 | $45,914 |
| YMCA of Greater Brandywine | Summer Seasonal Lifeguard | West Grove, PA | 05/28/2025 | $29,218 |
Beach lifeguard salary FAQs
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