Pool lifeguard vs aquatics specialist

The differences between pool lifeguards and aquatics specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an aquatics specialist has an average salary of $37,000, which is higher than the $28,274 average annual salary of a pool lifeguard.

The top three skills for a pool lifeguard include CPR, first-aid and water safety. The most important skills for an aquatics specialist are husbandry, primary resource, and animal welfare.

Pool lifeguard vs aquatics specialist overview

	Pool Lifeguard	Aquatics Specialist
Yearly salary	$28,274	$37,000
Hourly rate	$13.59	$17.79
Growth rate	-	28%
Number of jobs	4,609	19,982
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	26	26
Years of experience	-	-

Pool lifeguard vs aquatics specialist salary

Pool lifeguards and aquatics specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pool Lifeguard	Aquatics Specialist
Average salary	$28,274	$37,000
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $35,000	Between $25,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	Union City, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Mt. Hood Community College	-
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between pool lifeguard and aquatics specialist education

There are a few differences between a pool lifeguard and an aquatics specialist in terms of educational background:

	Pool Lifeguard	Aquatics Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 65%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Business	Biology
Most common college	-	-

Pool lifeguard vs aquatics specialist demographics

Here are the differences between pool lifeguards' and aquatics specialists' demographics:

	Pool Lifeguard	Aquatics Specialist
Average age	26	26
Gender ratio	Male, 58.2% Female, 41.8%	Male, 53.7% Female, 46.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 5.7% Unknown, 7.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.6% Asian, 4.3% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 7.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 4.4% White, 67.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between pool lifeguard and aquatics specialist duties and responsibilities

Pool lifeguard example responsibilities.

Manage and trained15 lifeguards, which develop leadership skills, provide experience handling administrative issues.
Order parts from various vendors, work with HVAC service company.
Learned life saving skills with certifications in both first aid and CPR.
Maintain optimal pool and facility cleanliness.
Provide exemplary cleanliness and monitor safe chemical levels.
Examine injured persons, administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation or contact emergency medical personnel in case of serious injury.

Aquatics specialist example responsibilities.

Participate in Zebrafish feed study to improve overall fish health and care.
Provide proper diet for all stages of zebrafish and claw frog life cycle.
Supervise care for all animals on a daily basis all while providing information to customers about every aspect of pet husbandry.
Conduct research using online federal regulations, review Medicare and Medicaid policy and guidelines to complete an accurate and well-support decision.
Like rats, snakes, Savannah monitors, skunks, squirrels, cats, dogs, opossums even birds and turtles

Pool lifeguard vs aquatics specialist skills

Common pool lifeguard skills

CPR, 25%
First-Aid, 21%
Water Safety, 7%
Cleanliness, 6%
Emergency Situations, 4%
Pool Deck, 4%

Common aquatics specialist skills

Husbandry, 51%
Primary Resource, 33%
Animal Welfare, 10%
CPR, 1%
Customer Service, 1%
AED, 1%

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Protective Service Industry
Pool Lifeguard
Pool Lifeguard vs Aquatics Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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