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What is a swim lesson instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a swim lesson instructor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $12.35 an hour? That's $25,697 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 20% and produce 48,800 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreSwim Lesson InstructorUS Average
Salary
2.0

Avg. Salary $25,697

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.2

Growth rate 20%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.0
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.32%

Asian 4.42%

Black or African American 6.01%

Hispanic or Latino 13.63%

Unknown 7.65%

White 67.97%

Gender

female 66.33%

male 33.67%

Age - 21
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 21
Stress level
8.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
3.7

Complexity level is basic

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Swim lesson instructor career paths

Key steps to become a swim lesson instructor

  1. Explore swim lesson instructor education requirements

    Most common swim lesson instructor degrees

    Bachelor's

    75.2 %

    Master's

    7.9 %

    High School Diploma

    7.7 %
  2. Start to develop specific swim lesson instructor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Cleanliness23.94%
    Emergency Situations15.59%
    Emergency Oxygen8.54%
    Flotation7.87%
    Lesson Program5.75%
  3. Complete relevant swim lesson instructor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New swim lesson instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a swim lesson instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real swim lesson instructor resumes.
  4. Research swim lesson instructor duties and responsibilities

    • Manage, facilitate and coordinate competitive swimming events using HY-TEK system.
    • Provide direct leadership, instruction and motivation for students in swimming classes.
    • Acquire leadership skills while mentoring and encouraging new lifeguards with swim lesson skills and pool upkeep.
    • Monitor recreational swimming areas and facilities for safety and cleanliness.
  5. Prepare your swim lesson instructor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your swim lesson instructor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a swim lesson instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable swim lesson instructor resume templates

    Build a professional swim lesson 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 lesson instructor resume.
    Swim Lesson Instructor Resume
    Swim Lesson Instructor Resume
    Swim Lesson Instructor Resume
    Swim Lesson Instructor Resume
    Swim Lesson Instructor Resume
    Swim Lesson Instructor Resume
    Swim Lesson Instructor Resume
    Swim Lesson Instructor Resume
    Swim Lesson Instructor Resume
  6. Apply for swim lesson instructor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a swim lesson instructor 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

How did you land your first swim lesson instructor job

Michael Fuller

Swim Lesson Instructor

I grew up in Florida and was an avid surfer and swimmer. I swam competitively thru college. I began instructing very early and lifeguarded in pools and ocean scenarios. I just have always been the one who teaches swimming. I enjoy the challenge.

Average swim lesson instructor salary

The average swim lesson instructor salary in the United States is $25,697 per year or $12 per hour. Swim lesson instructor salaries range between $18,000 and $35,000 per year.

Average swim lesson instructor salary
$25,697 Yearly
$12.35 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do swim lesson instructors rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

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2 stars

1 star

Swim lesson instructor reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Cons

Swimmers to swim in cold water, and the facility not a proper one with little amenities, and too far to travel from the swimming pool no proper coaching which is a lack in South Africa

Pros

People and the satisfaction to see learners progress


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

People and the satisfaction to see learners progress


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Pros

Meeting patrons keeping people safe

Cons

Standing in the sun for eight hours a day


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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