Post job

What is a life guard and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
ScoreLife GuardUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $28,842

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
2.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.32%

Asian 4.36%

Black or African American 5.86%

Hispanic or Latino 13.91%

Unknown 7.65%

White 67.90%

Gender

female 36.86%

male 63.14%

Age - 21
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 21
Stress level
8.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
3.7

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Life guard career paths

Key steps to become a life guard

  1. Explore life guard education requirements

    Most common life guard degrees

    Bachelor's

    49.7 %

    High School Diploma

    28.6 %

    Associate

    14.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific life guard skills

    SkillsPercentages
    CPR29.67%
    First-Aid21.72%
    Emergency Situations8.16%
    Pool Deck5.22%
    Safety Hazards3.84%
  3. Complete relevant life guard training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New life guards learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a life guard based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real life guard resumes.
  4. Gain additional life guard certifications

    Life guard certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific life guard certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for life guards include First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor and Lifeguard Certification.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research life guard duties and responsibilities

    • Examine any injuries patrons acquire using the facility and apply first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary.
    • Advance because of performance, knowledge and leadership.
    • Rescue any drowning victims out of water, call for emergency assistance and perform first-aid resuscitative measures when necessary.
    • Learned CPR and necessary skills to help in the advent of an emergency, observe pool to make sure everyone are safe
  6. Prepare your life guard resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your life guard resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a life guard resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable life guard resume templates

    Build a professional life guard resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your life guard resume.
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
    Life Guard Resume
  7. Apply for life guard jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a life guard job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first life guard job

Zippi

Are you a life guard?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average life guard salary

The average life guard salary in the United States is $28,842 per year or $14 per hour. Life guard salaries range between $23,000 and $35,000 per year.

Average life guard salary
$28,842 Yearly
$13.87 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do life guards rate their job?

Working as a life guard? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Life guard FAQs

Search for life guard jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse protective service jobs