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What is a lifeguard/head lifeguard and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
ScoreLifeguard/Head LifeguardUS Average
Salary
2.2

Avg. Salary $28,189

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
2.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.32%

Asian 4.37%

Black or African American 5.87%

Hispanic or Latino 13.93%

Unknown 7.65%

White 67.87%

Gender

female 44.73%

male 55.27%

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

Lifeguard/head lifeguard career paths

Key steps to become a lifeguard/head lifeguard

  1. Explore lifeguard/head lifeguard education requirements

    Most common lifeguard/head lifeguard degrees

    Bachelor's

    73.2 %

    Associate

    11.7 %

    High School Diploma

    9.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific lifeguard/head lifeguard skills

    SkillsPercentages
    First-Aid22.47%
    Customer Service13.67%
    Water Safety10.20%
    Emergency Situations6.61%
    Cleanliness6.20%
  3. Complete relevant lifeguard/head lifeguard training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lifeguards/head lifeguards 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 lifeguard/head lifeguard based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lifeguard/head lifeguard resumes.
  4. Gain additional lifeguard/head lifeguard certifications

    Lifeguard/head lifeguard 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 lifeguard/head lifeguard certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for lifeguards/head lifeguards include First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor and Lifeguard Certification.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research lifeguard/head lifeguard duties and responsibilities

    • Manage and trained15 lifeguards, which develop leadership skills, provide experience handling administrative issues.
    • Supervise pool maintenance, CPR, AED-PR, first-aid, record keeping, and customer service
    • Examine injured persons/administered first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary.
    • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary.
  6. Prepare your lifeguard/head lifeguard resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lifeguard/head lifeguard 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 lifeguard/head lifeguard resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable lifeguard/head lifeguard resume templates

    Build a professional lifeguard/head lifeguard 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 lifeguard/head lifeguard resume.
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  7. Apply for lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a lifeguard/head lifeguard 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 lifeguard/head lifeguard job

Zippi

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Average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary

The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary in the United States is $28,189 per year or $14 per hour. Lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries range between $22,000 and $35,000 per year.

Average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary
$28,189 Yearly
$13.55 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do lifeguards/head lifeguards rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

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3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Lifeguard/head lifeguard reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Maintenance safer environment and prevent any incident from happening

Cons

Surprises


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

Meeting patrons keeping people safe

Cons

Standing in the sun for eight hours a day


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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.

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