Lifeguard/swim instructor vs lifeguard/head lifeguard

The differences between lifeguard/swim instructors and lifeguards/head lifeguards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lifeguard/head lifeguard has an average salary of $28,189, 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 a lifeguard/head lifeguard are first-aid, customer service, and water safety.

Lifeguard/swim instructor vs lifeguard/head lifeguard overview

	Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard
Yearly salary	$27,743	$28,189
Hourly rate	$13.34	$13.55
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	27,819	12,052
Job satisfaction	2	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age	26	26
Years of experience	-	-

Lifeguard/swim instructor vs lifeguard/head lifeguard salary

Lifeguard/swim instructors and lifeguards/head lifeguards have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard
Average salary	$27,743	$28,189
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $35,000	Between $22,000 And $35,000
Highest paying City	Sunnyvale, CA	Oakland, CA
Highest paying state	Maine	Washington
Best paying company	The Phelps School	Trustmark Insurance Co
Best paying industry	Education	Education

Differences between lifeguard/swim instructor and lifeguard/head lifeguard education

There are a few differences between a lifeguard/swim instructor and a lifeguard/head lifeguard in terms of educational background:

	Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common major	Psychology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Lifeguard/swim instructor vs lifeguard/head lifeguard demographics

Here are the differences between lifeguard/swim instructors' and lifeguards/head lifeguards' demographics:

	Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard
Average age	26	26
Gender ratio	Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9%	Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7%
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, 5.9% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.4% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between lifeguard/swim instructor and lifeguard/head lifeguard duties and responsibilities

Lifeguard/swim instructor example 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
Maintain general appearance and cleanliness of assign area and perform general housekeeping of assign area; maintain water safety equipment.
Create and run up to date and relevant swimming drills that are both fun and beneficial for students.

Lifeguard/head lifeguard example responsibilities.

Manage and trained15 lifeguards, which develop leadership skills, provide experience handling administrative issues.
Supervise pool maintenance, CPR, AED-PR, first-aid, record keeping, and customer service
Examine injured persons/administered first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary.
Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary.
Obtain and maintain required certifications.
Maintain all first-aid and medical emergency equipment.

Lifeguard/swim instructor vs lifeguard/head lifeguard skills

Common lifeguard/swim instructor skills

First-Aid, 27%
Lifeguard Training, 12%
Customer Service, 10%
Emergency Situations, 10%
Cleanliness, 8%
Pool Deck, 3%

Common lifeguard/head lifeguard skills

First-Aid, 22%
Customer Service, 14%
Water Safety, 10%
Emergency Situations, 7%
Cleanliness, 6%
Aquatic Facility, 6%

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Protective Service Industry
Lifeguard/Swim Instructor
Lifeguard/Swim Instructor vs Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard

Updated January 8, 2025

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