How old do you have to be to work as a lifeguard?

You have to be at least 15 or 16 years old in most states to work as a lifeguard. However, some states and employers might have a strict age policy of 18 years of age for lifeguard candidates. In most cases though, lifeguard certification is available to people who are at least 15 or 16 years old. Lifeguard certification is also mandatory to work as a lifeguard.

Is lifeguard a good job?

Yes, being a lifeguard is a great job, especially if you want a job that helps you to learn and grow while working. One of the great things about being a lifeguard is that while it does have some requirements to begin working, such as CPR certification, it is often a job that is considered a "first job" for many. Because of this, there is a lot of opportunity for growth. Lifeguarding allows you to take on much more responsibility than you would in many other entry-level or "summer" jobs. You are responsible for the safety of everyone at the pool, and you are required to be aware of when and if you are needed. This requires focus and determination. Both of those qualities are extremely important for success in any career bath. Because lifeguarding has requirements that many other entry-level positions do not, lifeguards are often paid better than most other part-time or seasonal positions. If swimming is something you are passionate about and you desire to hold the necessary responsibility, this could be a great lucrative position for you.

How To Become A Lifeguard/Swim Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a lifeguard/swim instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Drowning is not as uncommon as you would think, one in four people know someone who died this way. Although we are accustomed to imagining a drowning person doing dramatic gestures and making noise, actually there are very few noticeable signs of drowning. That is why the job of lifeguards and swimming instructors is so important.

They watch over swimmers at pools, beaches, summer camps or resorts, and are responsible for preventing accidents in the water or anywhere near it. Surprisingly enough, there are a number of things that can endanger one's life by the pool or at the beach, such as sand, sea creatures, alcohol, or water games typically deemed harmless.

Swimming instructors give swimming classes to groups or individuals, potentially of any age but mostly to children. They show you correct swimming techniques and educate you on water safety rules. Lifeguards and swimming instructors are licensed and have professional training in water rescue, CPR, and first aid, and hold swimming instructor or water safety instructor certifications.

ScoreLifeguard/Swim InstructorUS Average

Salary

2.2

Avg. Salary $27,743

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

2.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.32%

Asian 4.32%

Black or African American 5.72%

Hispanic or Latino 13.57%

Unknown 7.71%

White 68.36%

Gender

female 60.87%

male 39.13%

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

Key steps to become a lifeguard/swim instructor

Explore lifeguard/swim instructor education requirements

Most common lifeguard/swim instructor degrees

Bachelor's

66.6 %

High School Diploma

13.7 %

Associate

12.6 %

Start to develop specific lifeguard/swim instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
First-Aid	27.37%
Lifeguard Training	12.13%
Customer Service	10.38%
Emergency Situations	9.89%
Cleanliness	7.94%

Complete relevant lifeguard/swim instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New lifeguard/swim instructors 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/swim instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real lifeguard/swim instructor resumes.

Gain additional lifeguard/swim instructor certifications

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

The most common certifications for lifeguard/swim instructors include First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor and Lifeguard Certification.

More About Certifications

Research lifeguard/swim instructor duties and responsibilities

Design and implement a learn-to-swim program for ages 2-25.
Conduct learn-to-swim classes for various ages and swimming levels.
Plan daily activities, games, devotions, bible lessons, evening lessons, song times and meals.
Inspect recreational area for cleanliness; maintain quality of pool water levels by testing chemical levels

Prepare your lifeguard/swim instructor resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your lifeguard/swim instructor 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/swim instructor 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/swim instructor resume templates

Build a professional lifeguard/swim instructor 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/swim instructor resume.