Best cities for a lifeguard/head lifeguard
The best cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards are Oakland, CA, Lexington, KY, and Louisville, KY, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for lifeguards/head lifeguards vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a lifeguard/head lifeguard or considering a move, this list of the best cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a lifeguard/head lifeguard. While the absolute best city for lifeguards/head lifeguards is Oakland, CA, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards in 2024.
If you're looking for a lifeguard/head lifeguard job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards in 2025
1. Oakland, CA
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $37,372 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 5.31 2. Lexington, KY
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $28,033 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Louisville, KY
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $27,996 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $35,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. San Francisco, CA
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $37,426 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Fremont, CA
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $37,315 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 0.00 6. Milwaukee, WI
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $27,390 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $34,000 Location quotient: 2.57 7. Seattle, WA
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,734 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $48,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. San Jose, CA
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $37,299 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $47,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Riverside, CA
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $36,141 Lowest 10 percent warn: $28,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $45,000 Location quotient: 4.24 10. Boston, MA
Total lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $34,761 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $43,000 Location quotient: 0.35
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Best cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards
- Oakland, CA
- Lexington, KY
- Louisville, KY
- San Francisco, CA
- Fremont, CA
- Milwaukee, WI
- Seattle, WA
- San Jose, CA
- Riverside, CA
- Boston, MA
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Detailed list of the best cities for a lifeguard/head lifeguard
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $37,372 | $29,000 | 420,005 | 2 |
| 2 | Lexington, KY | $28,033 | $21,000 | 318,449 | - |
| 3 | Louisville, KY | $27,996 | $21,000 | 597,337 | - |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $37,426 | $29,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 5 | Fremont, CA | $37,315 | $29,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 6 | Milwaukee, WI | $27,390 | $21,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $38,734 | $30,000 | 704,352 | - |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $37,299 | $29,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 9 | Riverside, CA | $36,141 | $28,000 | 324,722 | 1 |
| 10 | Boston, MA | $34,761 | $27,000 | 673,184 | 1 |
| 11 | Sacramento, CA | $37,142 | $29,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 12 | Portland, OR | $33,493 | $26,000 | 639,863 | - |
| 13 | Stockton, CA | $37,131 | $29,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 14 | Bakersfield, CA | $36,653 | $28,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 15 | Fresno, CA | $36,861 | $29,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 16 | Los Angeles, CA | $36,367 | $28,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 17 | Detroit, MI | $27,131 | $21,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 18 | Long Beach, CA | $36,295 | $28,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 19 | Anaheim, CA | $36,246 | $28,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 20 | Santa Ana, CA | $36,229 | $28,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 21 | Irvine, CA | $36,203 | $28,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 22 | Reno, NV | $27,941 | $21,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 23 | Madison, WI | $27,212 | $21,000 | 252,551 | - |
| 24 | San Diego, CA | $36,024 | $28,000 | 1,406,630 | - |
| 25 | Chula Vista, CA | $36,004 | $28,000 | 267,172 | - |
| 26 | Scottsdale, AZ | $28,041 | $22,000 | 246,645 | 12 |
| 27 | New York, NY | $32,391 | $25,000 | 8,537,673 | 7 |
| 28 | Brookhaven, NY | $32,541 | $25,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 29 | Saint Paul, MN | $29,222 | $23,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 30 | Islip, NY | $32,483 | $25,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 31 | Minneapolis, MN | $29,214 | $23,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 32 | Oyster Bay, NY | $32,473 | $25,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 33 | Glendale, AZ | $28,094 | $22,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 34 | Hempstead, NY | $32,419 | $25,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 35 | Phoenix, AZ | $28,079 | $22,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 36 | Las Vegas, NV | $27,207 | $21,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 37 | Orlando, FL | $28,212 | $22,000 | 277,173 | 19 |
| 38 | Chandler, AZ | $28,057 | $22,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 39 | North Las Vegas, NV | $27,168 | $21,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 40 | Buffalo, NY | $32,350 | $25,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 41 | Gilbert, AZ | $28,044 | $22,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 42 | Henderson, NV | $27,158 | $21,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 43 | Mesa, AZ | $28,036 | $22,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 44 | Albuquerque, NM | $26,742 | $20,000 | 559,277 | 3 |
| 45 | Tucson, AZ | $27,983 | $22,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 46 | Philadelphia, PA | $26,399 | $20,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 47 | Tampa, FL | $28,229 | $21,000 | 377,165 | - |
| 48 | Saint Petersburg, FL | $28,223 | $21,000 | 260,999 | - |
| 49 | Anchorage, AK | $29,024 | $24,000 | 298,192 | 1 |
| 50 | El Paso, TX | $25,899 | $20,000 | 683,080 | 5 |
Highest paying cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards
| Rank | City | Avg. lifeguard/head lifeguard salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $37,372 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $34,761 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $32,391 |
| 4 | Plymouth, MN | $29,202 |
| 5 | Towson, MD | $28,691 |
| 6 | Spring Hill, FL | $28,261 |
| 7 | Scottsdale, AZ | $28,041 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $27,642 |
| 9 | West Bend, WI | $27,489 |
| 10 | Grand Rapids, MI | $26,934 |
| 11 | Albuquerque, NM | $26,742 |
| 12 | Leesburg, VA | $26,299 |
| 13 | Erie, PA | $26,280 |
| 14 | Melrose Park, IL | $25,987 |
| 15 | Savannah, GA | $25,482 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $25,045 |
| 17 | Hilton Head Island, SC | $25,014 |
| 18 | Lawrence, KS | $23,820 |
| 19 | Kansas City, MO | $23,331 |
| 20 | Des Moines, IA | $21,703 |
Lifeguard/head lifeguard best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025