Lifeguard/Swim Instructor Education Requirements And Courses

Lifeguard/swim instructor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Usually, lifeguard/swim instructors don't need a college education. The most common degree for lifeguard/swim instructors is bachelor's degree with 67% graduates, with only 14% lifeguard/swim instructor graduates earning high school diploma. Lifeguard/swim instructors who decided to graduate from college often finish University of Iowa or Western Washington University. Some good skills to have in this position include first-aid, lifeguard training and customer service.

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

What education do you need to become a lifeguard/swim instructor?

What degree do you need to be a lifeguard/swim instructor?

The most common degree for lifeguard/swim instructors is bachelor's degree, with 67% of lifeguard/swim instructors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 14% and high school diploma degree at 13%.

Bachelor's, 67%

High School Diploma, 14%

Associate, 13%

Master's, 5%

Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a lifeguard/swim instructor?

You should major in psychology to become a lifeguard/swim instructor. 13% of lifeguard/swim instructors major in psychology. Other common majors for a lifeguard/swim instructor include business and biology.

Psychology, 13%

Business, 12%

Biology, 9%

Kinesiology, 8%

Other Majors, 58%

Best majors for lifeguard/swim instructors

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Psychology	13.2%
2	Business	11.7%
3	Biology	8.6%
4	Kinesiology	8.4%
5	Criminal Justice	5.5%

Show more common lifeguard/swim instructor majors

20 best online courses for lifeguard/swim instructors

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

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Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

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

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The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

8. Fun food safety and sanitation course

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

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Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

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

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

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

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

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16. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system

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Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...

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Learn safety communication skills to foster safety accountability, responsibility and correct safety behaviours...

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Essential training to keep your dogs safe, attract clients & gain skills & confidence to take action in an emergency...

19. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.

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How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...

20. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

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A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...

Average lifeguard/swim instructor salary by education level

Lifeguard/swim instructors with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $28,755 annually. With a Associate degree, lifeguard/swim instructors earn a median annual income of $27,405 compared to $26,863 for lifeguard/swim instructors with an High School Diploma degree.

Lifeguard/swim instructor education level	Lifeguard/swim instructor salary
High School Diploma or Less	$26,863
Bachelor's Degree	$28,755
Some College/ Associate Degree	$27,405