Lifeguard/swim instructor vs ocean lifeguard

The differences between lifeguard/swim instructors and ocean lifeguards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an ocean lifeguard has an average salary of $29,909, 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 ocean lifeguard are public safety, EMT, and emergency situations.

Lifeguard/swim instructor vs ocean lifeguard overview

	Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	Ocean Lifeguard
Yearly salary	$27,743	$29,909
Hourly rate	$13.34	$14.38
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	27,819	3,316
Job satisfaction	2	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Average age	26	26
Years of experience	-	-

What does a lifeguard/swim instructor do?

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.

What does an ocean lifeguard do?

An Ocean Lifeguard maintains continuous surveillance of people in the area of a beach. They supervise swimmers to ensure that they are swimming in accordance with safety protocols.

Lifeguard/swim instructor vs ocean lifeguard salary

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

	Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	Ocean Lifeguard
Average salary	$27,743	$29,909
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $35,000	Between $23,000 And $37,000
Highest paying City	Sunnyvale, CA	-
Highest paying state	Maine	-
Best paying company	The Phelps School	-
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between lifeguard/swim instructor and ocean lifeguard education

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

	Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	Ocean Lifeguard
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 79%
Most common major	Psychology	Business
Most common college	-	-

Lifeguard/swim instructor vs ocean lifeguard demographics

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

	Lifeguard/Swim Instructor	Ocean Lifeguard
Average age	26	26
Gender ratio	Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9%	Male, 68.3% Female, 31.7%
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, 8.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.4% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between lifeguard/swim instructor and ocean 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.

Ocean lifeguard example responsibilities.

Educate children in small groups about beach awareness, marine life, first aid and CPR.
Provide first aid treatment and CPR to patrons and maintain the beach while answering all patrons questions
Patrol or monitor recreational areas such as and swimming areas, on foot, in vehicles, or from towers.
Provide first responder medical emergency aid.
Receive extensive first responder and advance water-rescue training.
Coordinate and participate in patrol events and lifeguard competition.

Lifeguard/swim instructor vs ocean 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 ocean lifeguard skills

Public Safety, 23%
EMT, 11%
Emergency Situations, 11%
Patrol, 10%
Responder, 7%
Emergency Response, 3%

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

Updated January 8, 2025

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