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Lifeguard/head lifeguard salary
Average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary
$13.55
Understanding Lifeguard and Head Lifeguard Salaries
The average salary for a Lifeguard and Head Lifeguard is approximately $28,189 per year or $14 per hour as of October 2025. This salary can fluctuate based on various factors, including geographic location, level of experience, and the specific establishment of employment.
Where Lifeguards Earn More
Regions with higher living costs, such as coastal cities, tend to offer more competitive wages. For instance, lifeguards in California and Florida often see higher pay scales due to increased demand. Additionally, positions at private aquatic facilities may provide better compensation compared to public pools.
Highest Paying Opportunities
Head Lifeguards typically command higher salaries than entry-level lifeguards, reflecting their added responsibilities. Those aspiring for management positions can further increase their earnings through certifications in lifeguard training and emergency response.
Conclusion
For job seekers interested in lifeguarding, understanding the salary landscape is crucial. Utilize job boards like Zippia to explore available positions and gain insights into compensation trends in your area.
Let Zippia find your next lifeguard/head lifeguard job
Let Zippia find your next lifeguard/head lifeguard job
Where can a Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard earn more?
Average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary by state
The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary in Washington, California, and Maine are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary states are Missouri, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for lifeguards/head lifeguards
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $34,762 | $16.71 |
| 2 | Maine | $35,148 | $16.90 |
| 3 | Washington | $38,536 | $18.53 |
| 4 | California | $36,554 | $17.57 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $32,809 | $15.77 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $32,101 | $15.43 |
| 7 | Oregon | $33,575 | $16.14 |
| 8 | New York | $32,450 | $15.60 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $28,671 | $13.78 |
| 10 | Idaho | $33,292 | $16.01 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $33,649 | $16.18 |
| 12 | Vermont | $33,102 | $15.91 |
| 13 | Alaska | $28,736 | $13.82 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $30,900 | $14.86 |
| 15 | Kentucky | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $29,210 | $14.04 |
| 17 | Arizona | $28,075 | $13.50 |
| 18 | Delaware | $26,922 | $12.94 |
| 19 | Colorado | $27,647 | $13.29 |
| 20 | Nevada | $27,321 | $13.14 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $28,725 | $13.81 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $26,710 | $12.84 |
| 23 | Florida | $28,122 | $13.52 |
| 24 | Maryland | $28,534 | $13.72 |
| 25 | Michigan | $27,073 | $13.02 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $26,348 | $12.67 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $27,412 | $13.18 |
| 28 | Montana | $25,428 | $12.22 |
| 29 | Utah | $26,271 | $12.63 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $26,454 | $12.72 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $25,242 | $12.14 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $29,591 | $14.23 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $25,674 | $12.34 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $24,825 | $11.94 |
| 35 | Illinois | $25,945 | $12.47 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $23,244 | $11.18 |
| 37 | Georgia | $25,674 | $12.34 |
| 38 | Texas | $24,984 | $12.01 |
| 39 | Virginia | $25,831 | $12.42 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $25,450 | $12.24 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $24,346 | $11.70 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $27,090 | $13.02 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $25,099 | $12.07 |
| 44 | Kansas | $23,797 | $11.44 |
| 45 | Missouri | $23,295 | $11.20 |
| 46 | Iowa | $21,768 | $10.47 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $24,180 | $11.63 |
| 48 | Alabama | $23,567 | $11.33 |
| 49 | Ohio | $21,174 | $10.18 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $21,779 | $10.47 |
| 51 | Indiana | $19,974 | $9.60 |
Highest paying cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards
The highest-paying cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards are Oakland, CA, Boston, MA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $37,372 | $17.97 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $34,761 | $16.71 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $32,391 | $15.57 |
| 4 | Plymouth, MN | $29,202 | $14.04 |
| 5 | Towson, MD | $28,691 | $13.79 |
| 6 | Spring Hill, FL | $28,261 | $13.59 |
| 7 | Scottsdale, AZ | $28,041 | $13.48 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $27,642 | $13.29 |
| 9 | West Bend, WI | $27,489 | $13.22 |
| 10 | Grand Rapids, MI | $26,934 | $12.95 |
| 11 | Albuquerque, NM | $26,742 | $12.86 |
| 12 | Leesburg, VA | $26,299 | $12.64 |
| 13 | Erie, PA | $26,280 | $12.63 |
| 14 | Melrose Park, IL | $25,987 | $12.49 |
| 15 | Savannah, GA | $25,482 | $12.25 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $25,045 | $12.04 |
| 17 | Hilton Head Island, SC | $25,014 | $12.03 |
| 18 | Lawrence, KS | $23,820 | $11.45 |
| 19 | Kansas City, MO | $23,331 | $11.22 |
| 20 | Des Moines, IA | $21,703 | $10.43 |
Lifeguard/head lifeguard salary details
A lifeguard/head lifeguard's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $35,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a lifeguard/head lifeguard's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 75th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| Average | $28,189 | $2,349 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs
The highest paying types of lifeguards/head lifeguards are ski patrol director, rescue boat operator, and aquatics specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swim Instructor | $25,815 | $2,151 | $12.41 | 24,849 |
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | $27,743 | $2,312 | $13.34 | 27,819 |
| Ocean Lifeguard | $29,909 | $2,492 | $14.38 | 3,316 |
Top companies hiring lifeguards/head lifeguards now:
Which companies pay lifeguards/head lifeguards the most?
Lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries at Trustmark Insurance Co and PSEA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary at companies like Hidden Valley Country Club and State of Connecticut are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trustmark Insurance Co | $37,274 | $17.92 |
| 2 | PSEA | $37,093 | $17.83 |
| 3 | Hidden Valley Country Club | $34,493 | $16.58 |
| 4 | State of Connecticut | $33,851 | $16.27 |
| 5 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $33,003 | $15.87 |
| 6 | Woodfield Country Club | $31,554 | $15.17 |
| 7 | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | $31,228 | $15.01 |
| 8 | Loudoun County Social Svc | $30,941 | $14.88 |
| 9 | The Walt Disney Company | $30,861 | $14.84 |
| 10 | WTS International | $29,869 | $14.36 |
| 11 | Centra | $29,668 | $14.26 |
| 12 | Tarrant County | $29,525 | $14.19 |
| 13 | Prince William County | $29,510 | $14.19 |
| 14 | Hilton CSD | $29,422 | $14.15 |
| 15 | University of Maine | $28,979 | $13.93 |
| 16 | University of Michigan | $28,939 | $13.91 |
| 17 | Village of Lincolnwood | $28,413 | $13.66 |
| 18 | Chautauqua Institution | $28,409 | $13.66 |
| 19 | City of Worcester | $28,332 | $13.62 |
| 20 | City of Boulder | $27,932 | $13.43 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard salary by industry
The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary varies across industries:
- The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary in the education industry is $29,741, the highest of any industry.
- The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary in the finance industry is $27,759.
- Lifeguards/head lifeguards in the non profits industry earn an average salary of $24,938, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for lifeguards/head lifeguards
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $29,741 | $14.30 |
| 2 | Government | $27,759 | $13.35 |
| 3 | Hospitality | $27,458 | $13.20 |
| 4 | Health Care | $26,025 | $12.51 |
| 5 | Non Profits | $24,938 | $11.99 |
High paying lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs
Lifeguard/head lifeguard salary trends
The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary has risen by $6,895 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average lifeguard/head lifeguard earned $21,294 annually, but today, they earn $28,189 a year. That works out to a 23% change in pay for lifeguards/head lifeguards over the last decade.
Compare lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary over time
Compare lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Lifeguard/head lifeguard salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,200 | $13.55 | +6.4% |
| 2024 | $26,400 | $12.69 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $25,200 | $12.14 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $24,000 | $11.53 | +4.7% |
| 2021 | $22,900 | $10.99 | +3.9% |
Recently added lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treasure Valley Family YMCA | Head Lifeguard | Boise, ID | 06/30/2025 | $36,209 |
| Worlds of Fun | Lifeguard-for Summer | Kansas City, MO | 06/30/2025 | $33,392 |
| YMCA of Greater Erie | Head Lifeguard-Montessori Regional Charter School | Erie, PA | 06/27/2025 | $23,750 |
| Kansascityymca | Morning Lifeguard | Platte City, MO | 06/27/2025 | $30,470 |
| City of Conroe | Head Lifeguard | Conroe, TX | 06/26/2025 | $26,860 |
| City of Allen, Tx | Head Lifeguard | Allen, TX | 06/25/2025 | $35,542 |
| City of Conroe (Tx | Head Lifeguard | Conroe, TX | 06/25/2025 | $26,860 |
| Ymca of Greater Monmouth County | Morning Lifeguard | Freehold, NJ | 06/23/2025 | $35,479 |
| Kansascityymca | Daytime Lifeguard | Atchison, KS | 06/19/2025 | $30,470 |
| YMCA of Greater Brandywine | Head Lifeguard | Coatesville, PA | 06/11/2025 | $31,305 |
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