Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Pool lifeguard salary
Average pool lifeguard salary
$13.59
Understanding Pool Lifeguard Salaries
The average salary for pool lifeguards in the United States is around $28,274 per year. However, this figure can fluctuate based on several factors including state, experience, and employment sector. For instance, lifeguards working in luxury resorts or urban aquatic centers often earn more than those at community pools.
In states like California and Florida, where demand for lifeguards is high due to year-round swimming activities, the potential for higher wages increases. Experience also plays a critical role; lifeguards with several years on the job, especially those who hold certifications in first aid or CPR, typically command higher salaries.
Top Paying Locations
Cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, and New York frequently offer the most competitive salaries for lifeguards. It’s essential for job seekers to research local salary trends and consider the cost of living when evaluating job offers. By understanding these dynamics, aspiring lifeguards can make informed decisions about their career paths.
Let Zippia find your next pool lifeguard job
Let Zippia find your next pool lifeguard job
Where can a Pool Lifeguard earn more?
Average pool lifeguard salary by state
The highest-paying states for pool lifeguards are California, Washington, and Maine. The lowest average pool lifeguard salary states are South Carolina, Kansas, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for pool lifeguards
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $35,278 | $16.96 |
| 2 | California | $37,003 | $17.79 |
| 3 | Arizona | $29,922 | $14.39 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $33,340 | $16.03 |
| 5 | Washington | $36,866 | $17.72 |
| 6 | Idaho | $33,423 | $16.07 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $31,822 | $15.30 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | $28,563 | $13.73 |
| 9 | Nevada | $27,404 | $13.18 |
| 10 | Alaska | $29,129 | $14.00 |
| 11 | Vermont | $33,228 | $15.97 |
| 12 | Colorado | $29,197 | $14.04 |
| 13 | Oregon | $29,358 | $14.11 |
| 14 | New York | $31,956 | $15.36 |
| 15 | West Virginia | $28,972 | $13.93 |
| 16 | Michigan | $27,639 | $13.29 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $28,336 | $13.62 |
| 18 | Hawaii | $29,772 | $14.31 |
| 19 | Rhode Island | $28,916 | $13.90 |
| 20 | Florida | $26,489 | $12.74 |
| 21 | Maryland | $27,517 | $13.23 |
| 22 | Delaware | $27,110 | $13.03 |
| 23 | Kentucky | $28,075 | $13.50 |
| 24 | New Jersey | $27,790 | $13.36 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $28,271 | $13.59 |
| 26 | Montana | $25,475 | $12.25 |
| 27 | New Mexico | $26,769 | $12.87 |
| 28 | Wyoming | $26,524 | $12.75 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $25,709 | $12.36 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $26,666 | $12.82 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $24,842 | $11.94 |
| 32 | Utah | $26,381 | $12.68 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $25,663 | $12.34 |
| 34 | Illinois | $26,604 | $12.79 |
| 35 | Nebraska | $25,522 | $12.27 |
| 36 | Texas | $23,419 | $11.26 |
| 37 | District of Columbia | $27,327 | $13.14 |
| 38 | South Dakota | $25,188 | $12.11 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $23,295 | $11.20 |
| 40 | Missouri | $24,825 | $11.94 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $23,515 | $11.31 |
| 42 | South Carolina | $22,899 | $11.01 |
| 43 | Virginia | $23,404 | $11.25 |
| 44 | Ohio | $23,472 | $11.28 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $24,244 | $11.66 |
| 46 | Alabama | $23,629 | $11.36 |
| 47 | Kansas | $22,431 | $10.78 |
| 48 | Georgia | $21,332 | $10.26 |
| 49 | Iowa | $20,361 | $9.79 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $22,132 | $10.64 |
| 51 | Indiana | $20,059 | $9.64 |
Highest paying cities for pool lifeguards
The highest-paying cities for pool lifeguards are Union City, CA, Seattle, WA, and Newton, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Union City, CA | $37,833 | $18.19 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $37,042 | $17.81 |
| 3 | Newton, MA | $33,346 | $16.03 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $31,878 | $15.33 |
| 5 | Kaneohe, HI | $29,788 | $14.32 |
| 6 | Westminster, CO | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| 7 | Eagan, MN | $28,296 | $13.60 |
| 8 | Troy, MI | $27,711 | $13.32 |
| 9 | Las Vegas, NV | $27,284 | $13.12 |
| 10 | Glen Ellyn, IL | $26,674 | $12.82 |
| 11 | Boynton Beach, FL | $26,396 | $12.69 |
| 12 | Pittsburgh, PA | $25,104 | $12.07 |
| 13 | Florissant, MO | $24,872 | $11.96 |
| 14 | Arlington, VA | $23,866 | $11.47 |
| 15 | Austin, TX | $23,454 | $11.28 |
| 16 | Cincinnati, OH | $22,787 | $10.96 |
| 17 | Lawrence, KS | $22,383 | $10.76 |
| 18 | Newnan, GA | $21,340 | $10.26 |
Pool lifeguard salary details
A pool lifeguard's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $35,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a pool lifeguard's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 75th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| Average | $28,274 | $2,356 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying pool lifeguard jobs
The highest paying types of pool lifeguards are ski patrol director, rescue boat operator, and aquatics specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swim Instructor | $25,815 | $2,151 | $12.41 | 24,849 |
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | $27,743 | $2,312 | $13.34 | 27,819 |
| Ocean Lifeguard | $29,909 | $2,492 | $14.38 | 3,316 |
Top companies hiring pool lifeguards now:
Which companies pay pool lifeguards the most?
Pool lifeguard salaries at Mt. Hood Community College and State of Connecticut are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average pool lifeguard salary at companies like Town of Davie, FL and Fairmont Schools are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mt. Hood Community College | $34,405 | $16.54 |
| 2 | State of Connecticut | $33,849 | $16.27 |
| 3 | Town of Davie, FL | $32,245 | $15.50 |
| 4 | Fairmont Schools | $31,969 | $15.37 |
| 5 | Friends Select School | $31,389 | $15.09 |
| 6 | City of Dallas Employees | $31,073 | $14.94 |
| 7 | Trinity Health | $30,811 | $14.81 |
| 8 | City of Hampton | $30,504 | $14.67 |
| 9 | Great Wolf Resorts | $30,351 | $14.59 |
| 10 | City of Spokane | $30,174 | $14.51 |
| 11 | Forest Home Cemetery | $29,359 | $14.11 |
| 12 | The University of Kansas Health System | $29,322 | $14.10 |
| 13 | Department of Public Social Services | $29,011 | $13.95 |
| 14 | Related Companies | $28,829 | $13.86 |
| 15 | Hakkasan Group | $28,544 | $13.72 |
| 16 | Chautauqua Institution | $28,431 | $13.67 |
| 17 | Approved Cash | $28,415 | $13.66 |
| 18 | Delaware North | $28,137 | $13.53 |
| 19 | City of Hollywood,FL | $28,064 | $13.49 |
| 20 | Howard County Government | $28,000 | $13.46 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Pool Lifeguard salary by industry
The average pool lifeguard salary varies across industries:
- The average pool lifeguard salary in the education industry is $29,478, the highest of any industry.
- The average pool lifeguard salary in the finance industry is $28,985.
- Pool lifeguards in the hospitality industry earn an average salary of $26,866, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for pool lifeguards
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $29,478 | $14.17 |
| 2 | Government | $28,985 | $13.94 |
| 3 | Health Care | $27,831 | $13.38 |
| 4 | Hospitality | $26,866 | $12.92 |
High paying pool lifeguard jobs
Pool lifeguard salary trends
The average pool lifeguard salary has risen by $6,916 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average pool lifeguard earned $21,358 annually, but today, they earn $28,274 a year. That works out to a 23% change in pay for pool lifeguards over the last decade.
Compare pool lifeguard salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average pool lifeguard salary over time
Compare pool lifeguard salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Pool lifeguard salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,300 | $13.59 | +6.4% |
| 2024 | $26,500 | $12.72 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $25,300 | $12.18 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $24,100 | $11.57 | +4.7% |
| 2021 | $22,900 | $11.02 | +3.9% |
Recently added pool lifeguard salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caesars Entertainment | Lifeguard-Seasonal, Day Pool (Harrah's Atlantic City) | Atlantic City, NJ | 06/29/2025 | $33,392 |
| Six Flags New England | Pool Lifesaver | Agawam Town, MA | 06/29/2025 | $35,479 |
| Six Flags Darien Lake | Pool Lifesaver | Darien, NY | 06/29/2025 | $33,392 |
| Coraltreehospitality | Seasonal-Nelson Farm Pool Lifeguard | Cle Elum, WA | 06/29/2025 | $37,566 |
| Life Time Fitness | Aquatics Lifeguard | Warrenville, IL | 06/27/2025 | $33,392 |
| Life Time Fitness | Aquatics Lifeguard | Roseville, CA | 06/27/2025 | $36,523 |
| Life Time Fitness | Aquatics Lifeguard | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/24/2025 | $33,392 |
| Life Time Fitness | Aquatics Lifeguard | Chanhassen, MN | 06/24/2025 | $29,740 |
| South Florida State College | Lifeguard (Pool)-South Florida State College | Avon Park, FL | 06/21/2025 | $31,305 |
| Ltfmgtco LTF Club Management Co | Aquatics Lifeguard | Edina, MN | 06/21/2025 | $29,740 |
Pool lifeguard salary FAQs
Search for pool lifeguard jobs