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The differences between lifeguard/swim instructors and assistant swim coaches can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant swim coach has an average salary of $36,585, which is higher than the $27,743 average annual salary of a lifeguard/swim instructor.
The top three skills for a lifeguard/swim instructor include first-aid, lifeguard training and customer service. The most important skills for an assistant swim coach are CPR, lifeguard, and NCAA.
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | Assistant Swim Coach | |
| Yearly salary | $27,743 | $36,585 |
| Hourly rate | $13.34 | $17.59 |
| Growth rate | - | 20% |
| Number of jobs | 27,819 | 16,426 |
| Job satisfaction | 2 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Average age | 26 | 36 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
The primary job of lifeguards and swimming instructors is to keep an eye and teach swimmers at both private and public beaches, pools, private resorts, public parks, and summer camps. They implement local laws and regulations of the facility and provide help to swimmers who are in need. One of their essential duties is to prevent fatal accidents and injuries. They are trained in the different techniques of first aid, water rescue, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They mostly teach children, though they teach people of all ages.
An assistant swim coach provides support to swim coaches and players by performing various tasks. Part of their job includes managing schedules, handling calls and correspondence, preparing documentation, and organizing files. They also help swim coaches by facilitating warm-up exercises, providing one-on-one assistance to the players in need of guidance, monitoring and replenishing supplies, preparing facilities, maintaining records, and implementing safety guidelines. Moreover, they work together with the swim coach in monitoring the players' progress and developing strategies to enhance their skills.
Lifeguard/swim instructors and assistant swim coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | Assistant Swim Coach | |
| Average salary | $27,743 | $36,585 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $35,000 | Between $23,000 And $56,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | The Phelps School | Kenyon College |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a lifeguard/swim instructor and an assistant swim coach in terms of educational background:
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | Assistant Swim Coach | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 78% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | - | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between lifeguard/swim instructors' and assistant swim coaches' demographics:
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | Assistant Swim Coach | |
| Average age | 26 | 36 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9% | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 7.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.3% White, 68.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 8% |