Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard Education Requirements And Courses

Lifeguard/head lifeguard education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, lifeguards/head lifeguards don't need a college education. The most common degree for lifeguards/head lifeguards is bachelor's degree with 73% graduates, with only 12% lifeguard/head lifeguard graduates earning associate degree. Lifeguards/head lifeguards who decided to graduate from college often finish Texas A&M; University or Appalachian State University. Some good skills to have in this position include first-aid, customer service and water safety.

Popular lifeguard/head lifeguard certifications include First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor, Lifeguard Certification, or First Aid Certification. To improve lifeguard/head lifeguard qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in lifeguard/head lifeguard education paths.

What education do you need to become a lifeguard/head lifeguard?

What degree do you need to be a lifeguard/head lifeguard?

The most common degree for lifeguards/head lifeguards is bachelor's degree, with 73% of lifeguards/head lifeguards earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 12% and associate degree degree at 10%.

Bachelor's, 73%

Associate, 12%

High School Diploma, 10%

Master's, 4%

Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a lifeguard/head lifeguard?

You should major in business to become a lifeguard/head lifeguard. 15% of lifeguards/head lifeguards major in business. Other common majors for a lifeguard/head lifeguard include kinesiology and psychology.

Business, 15%

Kinesiology, 9%

Psychology, 9%

Biology, 8%

Other Majors, 59%

Best majors for lifeguards/head lifeguards

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Business	15.3%
2	Kinesiology	9.2%
3	Psychology	8.6%
4	Biology	8.2%
5	Criminal Justice	6.5%

Show more common lifeguard/head lifeguard majors

20 best online courses for lifeguards/head lifeguards

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1. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2

4.4

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A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

2. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

4.4

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Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

3. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level

4.5

(2,276)

3-in-1 Customer Service Training: Levels 1, 2, 3 Improve Your Soft Communication Skills, Customer Support & Experience...

4. Occupational Health & Safety Training

4.4

(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

5. Operations Management: Facilities Planning and Management

4.4

(357)

Operations Management Training Program (Course 8 of 8)...

6. NEBOSH health and safety Management System

4.3

(448)

It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...

7. Emergency Life Support First Aid Training

4.7

(2,132)

Learn important life saving first aid. Treatment of major illness and injuries...

8. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

4.5

(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

9. Customer Service Foundation

4.5

(290)

An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...

10. Outstanding Customer Service - The Ultimate Guide!

4.5

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Unlocking the Powerful Secrets of OUTSTANDING Customer Service - Transform Your Business!...

11. OSHA Safety Pro: Deadly Concrete Dust. Crystalline Silica.

4.4

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OSHA's General, Construction, and Maritime Industries Hazard Prevention and Safety Standard...

12. Customer Service Basics: Improve your Service now

4.5

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The basic golden rules to kickstart your service...

13. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First

4.4

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Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...

14. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer

4.7

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Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...

15. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems

4.1

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The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...

16. Fun food safety and sanitation course

4.6

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The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

17. Customer Service

4.6

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How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...

18. The Customer: Build a Customer Service Strategy (BITE SIZE)

4.5

(10,168)

For you and your team to be successful in providing great customer service, start by putting your customer first...

19. Head anatomy and sculpting exercises course

4.9

(336)

Learn anatomy and shapes of male and female head for 3D and 2D artists...

20. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

4.3

(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

Average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary by education level

According to our data, lifeguards/head lifeguards with a Bachelor's degree earn the highest average salary, at $29,105 annually. Lifeguards/head lifeguards with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $27,883.

Lifeguard/head lifeguard education level	Lifeguard/head lifeguard salary
High School Diploma or Less	$27,391
Bachelor's Degree	$29,105
Some College/ Associate Degree	$27,883