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Life guard vs water safety instructor

The differences between life guards and water safety instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a life guard has an average salary of $28,842, which is higher than the $27,408 average annual salary of a water safety instructor.

The top three skills for a life guard include CPR, first-aid and emergency situations. The most important skills for a water safety instructor are learn-to-swim, aquatic facility, and head lifeguard.

Life guard vs water safety instructor overview

Life GuardWater Safety Instructor
Yearly salary$28,842$27,408
Hourly rate$13.87$13.18
Growth rate-19%
Number of jobs29,75244,102
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age2626
Years of experience--

Life guard vs water safety instructor salary

Life guards and water safety instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Life GuardWater Safety Instructor
Average salary$28,842$27,408
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $35,000Between $21,000 And $35,000
Highest paying City-Utica, NY
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Pace University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between life guard and water safety instructor education

There are a few differences between a life guard and a water safety instructor in terms of educational background:

Life GuardWater Safety Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common college--

Life guard vs water safety instructor demographics

Here are the differences between life guards' and water safety instructors' demographics:

Life GuardWater Safety Instructor
Average age2626
Gender ratioMale, 63.1% Female, 36.9%Male, 39.0% Female, 61.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.4% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 7.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.3% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between life guard and water safety instructor duties and responsibilities

Life guard example 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
  • Participate in ongoing CPR and a education and maintain proficiency in preparation for emergencies.
  • Maintain general appearance and cleanliness of assign area and perform general housekeeping of assign area; maintain water safety equipment.
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Water safety instructor example responsibilities.

  • Examine injure persons and administer first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary.
  • Work on-site to cover HUD and OSHA inspector protocol, EPA regulations, and OSHA policies, practice and procedures.
  • Substitute for yoga and water aerobics as needed
  • Assist and maintain associated paperwork and documentation to ensure OSHA compliance.
  • Maintain general appearance and cleanliness of assign area and perform general housekeeping of assign area; maintain water safety equipment.
  • Show more

Life guard vs water safety instructor skills

Common life guard skills
  • CPR, 30%
  • First-Aid, 22%
  • Emergency Situations, 8%
  • Pool Deck, 5%
  • Safety Hazards, 4%
  • Rescue Techniques, 4%
Common water safety instructor skills
  • Learn-To-Swim, 13%
  • Aquatic Facility, 11%
  • Head Lifeguard, 11%
  • In-Service Training, 7%
  • Safety Regulations, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%

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