How To Become a Swim Instructor

To become a swim instructor, you usually need a bachelor's degree. The most common jobs before becoming a swim instructor are lifeguard/swim instructor, internship, and volunteer. Hiring managers expect a swim instructor to have soft skills such as customer-service skills, listening skills, and motivational skills. Once you have all the required skills and experience, it doesn't take any job training to become a swim instructor.

The national average salary for swim instructors is $25,815, but with the right certifications and experience, they can make up to $35,000. Getting a certification as a First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor will help you to earn more as a swim instructor.

Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 13% and produce 45,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

How to become a Swim Instructor in 5 steps:

  • Step 1: Explore swim instructor education
  • Step 2: Develop swim instructor skills
  • Step 3: Get swim instructor certifications
  • Step 4: Research swim instructor duties
  • Step 5: Prepare your resume

Key Steps To Become a Swim Instructor

  1. Explore Swim Instructor Education

    If you're interested in becoming a swim instructor, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 66.8% of swim instructors have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 4.5% of swim instructors have master's degrees. Even though most swim instructors have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

    Swim Instructor Degrees

    Bachelors

    66.8 %

    High School Diploma

    13.5 %

    Associate

    12.4 %

  2. Develop Swim Instructor Skills

    It'll be a good idea to develop swim instructor skills before applying for a job. Here are some skills commonly requested in swim instructor job descriptions:

    SkillsPercentages
    Lifeguard20.74%
    Cleanliness19.58%
    Customer Service15.36%
    Kids12.00%
    Emergency Situations4.38%
    Show More

  3. Get Swim Instructor Certifications

    Certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for this position. They can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a certification, having one may help you stand out in an application. Plus, the process of getting a certification can teach you new skills that you can bring to your work. We determined the most common certifications for swim instructors. The most common certification is First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor, but Lifeguard Certification is also frequently seen in swim instructors resumes.

    1. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
    2. Lifeguard Certification
    3. Instructor
    4. Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS)
    5. Basic Life Support (BLS)
    6. Student Electronics Technician (SET)
    7. Open Water Diver
    8. Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

    More About Certifications

  4. Research Swim Instructor Duties

    When you decide to become a swim instructor, It's important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. Some common responsibilities are a part of most swim instructor jobs. Here is a list of the main duties that define the role:

    • Manage all subjects of TOEFL.
    • Manage, facilitate and coordinate competitive swimming events using HY-TEK system.
    • Manage social media accounts while promoting camper interaction and sharing of the UCA brand experience.
    • Maintain continual first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification, while ensuring the members' requests are meet and exceed their expectations.
    • Care for and assist children with severe food allergies.
    • Certify in water aerobics, as well as CPR.

  5. Prepare Your Resume

    Finally, when you already have checked the skills and responsibilities for this role, you can start creating your resume. Everything that goes into creating a perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks. No worries, we created a resume builder to make this process as easy as possible with tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and a summary.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Swim Instructor Resume templates

    Build a professional Swim Instructor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Swim Instructor resume.

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    Swim Instructor Resume

  6. Apply For a Swim Instructor Job

    With your ready resume, it's time to start searching for a new job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

    Swim Instructor Jobs

    7. How To Become a Swim Instructor
    How To Become a Swim Instructor Career Overview
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Average Salary for a Swim Instructor

Swim Instructors in America make an average salary of $25,815 per year or $12 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $35,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $18,000 per year.
Average Swim Instructor Salary
$25,815 Yearly
$12.41 hourly
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Updated November 18, 2022