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The differences between lifeguard/swim instructors and swim instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lifeguard/swim instructor has an average salary of $27,743, which is higher than the $25,815 average annual salary of a 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 swim instructor are lifeguard, cleanliness, and customer service.
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | Swim Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $27,743 | $25,815 |
| Hourly rate | $13.34 | $12.41 |
| Growth rate | - | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 27,819 | 24,849 |
| Job satisfaction | 2 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 26 | 26 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
As the name entails, swim instructors teach both children and adults how to swim. They help people develop their swimming ability through proper swimming techniques. Their responsibilities include ensuring that all swimming equipment is in good condition, evaluating student performance and providing feedback, and preparing reports on attendance and accidents. They are also responsible for preventing injuries and accidents through monitoring. There are several requirements to become a successful swim instructor that may include previous experience as a swim instructor, certifications on CPR and first aid, and swimming abilities.
Lifeguard/swim instructors and swim instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | Swim Instructor | |
| Average salary | $27,743 | $25,815 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $35,000 | Between $18,000 And $35,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sunnyvale, CA | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Maine | Maine |
| Best paying company | The Phelps School | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a lifeguard/swim instructor and a swim instructor in terms of educational background:
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | Swim Instructor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between lifeguard/swim instructors' and swim instructors' demographics:
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | Swim Instructor | |
| Average age | 26 | 26 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.1% Female, 60.9% | Male, 32.0% Female, 68.0% |
| 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, 5.7% Unknown, 7.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 4.3% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |