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Water safety instructor salary
Average water safety instructor salary
$13.18
Understanding Water Safety Instructor Salaries
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Water Safety Instructor is reported to be $27,408 per year, translating to roughly $13 per hour. Factors influencing this salary include geographical location, years of experience, and type of employment (public vs. private sectors).
Salary Variations by State
Salaries for water safety instructors can differ significantly across states. For example, instructors in states with higher living costs may earn more. California and New York often feature competitive compensation, while states with lower demand may offer lower wages.
Opportunities for Growth
With experience and certifications, water safety instructors can pursue higher-paying positions, such as supervisory roles at aquatic centers or certification trainers. This growth potential highlights the importance of ongoing education and training in the field.
Conclusion
For those considering a career in water safety, understanding the salary landscape is crucial. Explore resources on Zippia to find job listings and salary insights tailored to your specific state and experience level.
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Where can a Water Safety Instructor earn more?
Average water safety instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for water safety instructors are Washington, New York, and California. The lowest average water safety instructor salary states are Alabama, Texas, and Iowa.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for water safety instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $36,368 | $17.48 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $33,654 | $16.18 |
| 3 | Michigan | $31,536 | $15.16 |
| 4 | Maine | $36,027 | $17.32 |
| 5 | New York | $37,185 | $17.88 |
| 6 | Washington | $37,444 | $18.00 |
| 7 | Vermont | $33,795 | $16.25 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $36,326 | $17.46 |
| 9 | Idaho | $32,632 | $15.69 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $31,382 | $15.09 |
| 11 | Nevada | $27,094 | $13.03 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $33,525 | $16.12 |
| 13 | Oregon | $28,562 | $13.73 |
| 14 | Kentucky | $27,577 | $13.26 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $32,938 | $15.84 |
| 16 | Colorado | $27,316 | $13.13 |
| 17 | West Virginia | $28,575 | $13.74 |
| 18 | Arizona | $27,506 | $13.22 |
| 19 | Wyoming | $26,156 | $12.57 |
| 20 | Delaware | $27,166 | $13.06 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $29,427 | $14.15 |
| 22 | Alaska | $27,174 | $13.06 |
| 23 | Virginia | $27,027 | $12.99 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $26,599 | $12.79 |
| 25 | Hawaii | $28,465 | $13.69 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $24,459 | $11.76 |
| 27 | Maryland | $27,571 | $13.26 |
| 28 | Wisconsin | $27,263 | $13.11 |
| 29 | Montana | $24,972 | $12.01 |
| 30 | Utah | $25,989 | $12.49 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $26,240 | $12.62 |
| 32 | Georgia | $24,706 | $11.88 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $26,954 | $12.96 |
| 34 | North Carolina | $23,903 | $11.49 |
| 35 | Florida | $24,807 | $11.93 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $24,866 | $11.95 |
| 37 | Illinois | $25,624 | $12.32 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $23,849 | $11.47 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | $27,202 | $13.08 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $25,143 | $12.09 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $24,886 | $11.96 |
| 42 | Alabama | $22,688 | $10.91 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $23,107 | $11.11 |
| 44 | Kansas | $23,464 | $11.28 |
| 45 | Iowa | $21,945 | $10.55 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $22,690 | $10.91 |
| 47 | Missouri | $22,986 | $11.05 |
| 48 | Texas | $22,339 | $10.74 |
| 49 | Ohio | $21,082 | $10.14 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $21,211 | $10.20 |
| 51 | Indiana | $19,739 | $9.49 |
Highest paying cities for water safety instructors
The highest-paying cities for water safety instructors are Utica, NY, Oakland, CA, and Spokane, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Utica, NY | $37,883 | $18.21 |
| 2 | Oakland, CA | $37,476 | $18.02 |
| 3 | Spokane, WA | $36,351 | $17.48 |
| 4 | Barnstable Town, MA | $36,233 | $17.42 |
| 5 | Moscow, ID | $32,566 | $15.66 |
| 6 | Grand Rapids, MI | $31,226 | $15.01 |
| 7 | Salem, OR | $28,667 | $13.78 |
| 8 | Alexandria, VA | $27,683 | $13.31 |
| 9 | Columbia, MD | $27,593 | $13.27 |
| 10 | Greeley, CO | $27,347 | $13.15 |
| 11 | Edina, MN | $26,871 | $12.92 |
| 12 | Philadelphia, PA | $26,727 | $12.85 |
| 13 | Gainesville, FL | $24,804 | $11.93 |
| 14 | Charleston, SC | $24,283 | $11.67 |
| 15 | Durham, NC | $24,117 | $11.59 |
| 16 | New Orleans, LA | $23,003 | $11.06 |
| 17 | Lewisville, TX | $22,422 | $10.78 |
| 18 | Norman, OK | $21,224 | $10.20 |
Water safety instructor salary details
A water safety instructor's salary ranges from $21,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $35,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a water safety instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 75th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
| Average | $27,408 | $2,284 | $13 |
| 25th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
| 10th Percentile | $21,000 | $1,750 | $10 |
Highest paying water safety instructor jobs
The highest paying types of water safety instructors are instructor, ski patrol director, and aquatics specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ocean Lifeguard | $29,909 | $2,492 | $14.38 | 3,316 |
| Lifeguard/Swim Instructor | $27,743 | $2,312 | $13.34 | 27,819 |
| Instructor | $53,426 | $4,452 | $25.69 | 39,273 |
| Swim Instructor | $25,815 | $2,151 | $12.41 | 24,849 |
Top companies hiring water safety instructors now:
Which companies pay water safety instructors the most?
Water safety instructor salaries at Pace University and City of Round Rock are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average water safety instructor salary at companies like City Of Alexandria and City of Austin are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pace University | $44,413 | $21.35 |
| 2 | City of Round Rock | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| 3 | City Of Alexandria | $35,144 | $16.90 |
| 4 | City of Austin | $35,138 | $16.89 |
| 5 | City of Dallas Employees | $31,599 | $15.19 |
| 6 | Edina Public Schools | $31,131 | $14.97 |
| 7 | Mohawk Valley Community College | $30,758 | $14.79 |
| 8 | University of Idaho | $30,646 | $14.73 |
| 9 | Prince William County | $30,454 | $14.64 |
| 10 | Virginia Commonwealth University | $29,975 | $14.41 |
| 11 | Roseville Area Schools | $28,773 | $13.83 |
| 12 | Grandville Public Schools | $28,769 | $13.83 |
| 13 | 92nd Street Y | $28,559 | $13.73 |
| 14 | University of Oklahoma | $28,209 | $13.56 |
| 15 | City Of Miami | $28,191 | $13.55 |
| 16 | Howard County Government | $28,150 | $13.53 |
| 17 | Rink Management Services | $27,548 | $13.24 |
| 18 | City of Durham | $27,138 | $13.05 |
| 19 | City of Huntington, WV | $27,115 | $13.04 |
| 20 | City of Charleston | $27,094 | $13.03 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Water safety instructor salary trends
The average water safety instructor salary has risen by $6,704 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average water safety instructor earned $20,704 annually, but today, they earn $27,408 a year. That works out to a 23% change in pay for water safety instructors over the last decade.
Compare water safety instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average water safety instructor salary over time
Compare water safety instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Water safety instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $27,400 | $13.18 | +6.4% |
| 2025 | $25,700 | $12.33 | +4.3% |
| 2024 | $24,500 | $11.80 | +5.0% |
| 2023 | $23,300 | $11.21 | +4.7% |
| 2022 | $22,200 | $10.69 | +3.9% |
Recently added water safety instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Water Safety Instructor-Mount Fitness (Pool)-Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner, MA | 06/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Coast Guard Exchange | Water Safety Instructor INT | Kodiak, AK | 06/25/2025 | $35,479 |
| City of Dallas, Tx | Water Safety Instructor (NON Civil Service) Park and Recreation | Sunset, FL | 06/24/2025 | $41,385 |
| Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority | Water Safety Instructor | Arlington, VA | 06/24/2025 | $43,827 |
| Aqua-Tots Swim School | Water Safety Instructor and Family Experience Teammate | Holly Springs, NC | 06/21/2025 | $31,305 |
| Boys Club of New York | Water Safety Instructor | New York, NY | 06/18/2025 | $52,175 |
| Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose Schools | Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) | Buffalo, MN | 06/15/2025 | $35,542 |
| Frederick County Public Schools | Water Safety Instructor | Frederick, MD | 06/13/2025 | $37,149 |
| Ou Health | Student Water Safety Instructor (Summer) | Norman, OK | 06/09/2025 | $29,218 |
| The University of Oklahoma Human Resources | *Seasonal Temporary Water Safety Instructor (Summer) | Norman, OK | 06/09/2025 | $27,131 |
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