Post job

Water safety instructor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, water safety instructors don't need a college education. The most common degree for water safety instructors is bachelor's degree with 69% graduates, with only 13% water safety instructor graduates earning associate degree. Water safety instructors who decided to graduate from college often finish George Mason University or University of Arizona. Some good skills to have in this position include learn-to-swim, aquatic facility and head lifeguard.

Popular water safety instructor certifications include First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor, Lifeguard Certification, or Instructor. To improve water safety instructor qualification and skills, we prepared some online courses to help in water safety instructor education paths.

What education do you need to become a water safety instructor?

What degree do you need to be a water safety instructor?

The most common degree for water safety instructors is bachelor's degree, with 69% of water safety instructors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 13% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 69%
  • Associate, 13%
  • High School Diploma, 9%
  • Master's, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a water safety instructor?

You should major in psychology to become a water safety instructor. 11% of water safety instructors major in psychology. Other common majors for a water safety instructor include business and biology.

Best majors for water safety instructors

RankMajorPercentages
1Psychology11.2%
2Business9.9%
3Biology8.8%
4Kinesiology7.7%
5Criminal Justice6.0%

20 best online courses for water safety instructors

Advertising disclosure

1. Functional Safety for Safety Instrumented Systems

udemy
4.1
(263)

The most complete course available on Functional Safety. 2+ hours of videos, case studies, assignments, & more...

2. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings

udemy
4.5
(958)

A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

3. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2

udemy
4.4
(355)

A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

4. NEBOSH FIRE SAFETY

udemy
4.4
(252)

Managing Fire Safety in Workplace...

5. Fire Safety and Prevention Planning

udemy
4.4
(1,467)

Become an expert in understanding Fire Safety and Prevention Planning for your workplaces and organizations...

6. Fire Safety: Become A Fire Safety Expert

udemy
4.3
(484)

Become an expert in Fire Safety, Fire Hazards Control, Fire Evacuation Plans, and Fire Risk Assessment...

7. Basic Fire Safety Awareness

udemy
4.3
(776)

Basic Fire Safety Awareness - Your Gateway towards Career in Fire Safety...

8. ISO 22000:2018. Food Safety Management System

udemy
4.4
(976)

Understand the requirements for a food safety management system applicable for any organization in the food chain...

9. Occupational Health & Safety Training

udemy
4.4
(1,198)

Workplace Health and Safety Course For Employees & Managers...

10. Food Safety for Managers and Supervisors

udemy
4.3
(489)

The Highfield Food Safety Level 3 syllabus presented in two hours of video tutorials. Boost your food safety knowledge...

11. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners

udemy
4.7
(269)

Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...

12. Fun food safety and sanitation course

udemy
4.6
(539)

The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...

13. High Voltage Electric Vehicle Safety

udemy
4.4
(302)

Electric Vehicle Safety Battery Pack Fire Safety Electric Shock Safety Accidental Safety High Voltage Components...

14. NEBOSH health and safety Management System

udemy
4.3
(448)

It Shows the Start point to Build your Health & safety Career and how to Join the field and becoming HSE Specialist...

15. OSHA Safety Training: Heat Stress Management

udemy
4.6
(465)

A Workplace Safety Management Course for Current and Future Safety Professionals...

16. OSHA Workplace Safety (General Industry 6 Hr Class)

udemy
4.5
(2,583)

Learn the requirements and standards associated with OSHA and workplace safety. Safety best practices for the workplace...

17. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

udemy
4.5
(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

18. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system

udemy
4.6
(4,258)

Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...

19. Water Treatment Process Design

udemy
4.4
(396)

design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...

20. Refresher course of Safety Management Systems

udemy
4.7
(390)

A quick overview for aviation managers and safety professionals about basic concepts and philosophy of SMS...

Average water safety instructor salary by education level

Water safety instructors with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $28,462 annually. With a Associate degree, water safety instructors earn a median annual income of $27,056 compared to $26,493 for water safety instructors with an High School Diploma degree.
Water safety instructor education levelWater safety instructor salary
High School Diploma or Less$26,493
Bachelor's Degree$28,462
Some College/ Associate Degree$27,056

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.

Browse protective service jobs