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Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard salary
Average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary
$13.55
How much does a lifeguard/head lifeguard make?
The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary in the United States is $28,189. Lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries typically range between $22,000 and $35,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for lifeguards/head lifeguards is $13.55 per hour.
Lifeguard/head lifeguard salary is impacted by location, education, and experience. Lifeguards/head lifeguards earn the highest average salary in Washington.
Where can a Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard earn more?
Average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary by state
The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary in Washington, California, and Maine are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary states are Missouri, Tennessee, and Oklahoma.
- State View
- County View
Highest paying states for lifeguards/head lifeguards
Rank  | State | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $34,762 | $16.71 |
| 2 | Maine | $35,148 | $16.90 |
| 3 | Washington | $38,536 | $18.53 |
| 4 | California | $36,554 | $17.57 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $32,809 | $15.77 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $32,101 | $15.43 |
| 7 | Oregon | $33,575 | $16.14 |
| 8 | New York | $32,450 | $15.60 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $28,671 | $13.78 |
| 10 | Idaho | $33,292 | $16.01 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $33,649 | $16.18 |
| 12 | Vermont | $33,102 | $15.91 |
| 13 | Alaska | $28,736 | $13.82 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $30,900 | $14.86 |
| 15 | Kentucky | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| 16 | Minnesota | $29,210 | $14.04 |
| 17 | Arizona | $28,075 | $13.50 |
| 18 | Delaware | $26,922 | $12.94 |
| 19 | Colorado | $27,647 | $13.29 |
| 20 | Nevada | $27,321 | $13.14 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $28,725 | $13.81 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $26,710 | $12.84 |
| 23 | Florida | $28,122 | $13.52 |
| 24 | Maryland | $28,534 | $13.72 |
| 25 | Michigan | $27,073 | $13.02 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $26,348 | $12.67 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $27,412 | $13.18 |
| 28 | Montana | $25,428 | $12.22 |
| 29 | Utah | $26,271 | $12.63 |
| 30 | Wyoming | $26,454 | $12.72 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $25,242 | $12.14 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $29,591 | $14.23 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $25,674 | $12.34 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $24,825 | $11.94 |
| 35 | Illinois | $25,945 | $12.47 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $23,244 | $11.18 |
| 37 | Georgia | $25,674 | $12.34 |
| 38 | Texas | $24,984 | $12.01 |
| 39 | Virginia | $25,831 | $12.42 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $25,450 | $12.24 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $24,346 | $11.70 |
| 42 | District of Columbia | $27,090 | $13.02 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $25,099 | $12.07 |
| 44 | Kansas | $23,797 | $11.44 |
| 45 | Missouri | $23,295 | $11.20 |
| 46 | Iowa | $21,768 | $10.47 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $24,180 | $11.63 |
| 48 | Alabama | $23,567 | $11.33 |
| 49 | Ohio | $21,174 | $10.18 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $21,779 | $10.47 |
| 51 | Indiana | $19,974 | $9.60 |
Highest paying cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards
The highest-paying cities for lifeguards/head lifeguards are Oakland, CA, Boston, MA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $37,372 | $17.97 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $34,761 | $16.71 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $32,391 | $15.57 |
| 4 | Plymouth, MN | $29,202 | $14.04 |
| 5 | Towson, MD | $28,691 | $13.79 |
| 6 | Spring Hill, FL | $28,261 | $13.59 |
| 7 | Scottsdale, AZ | $28,041 | $13.48 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $27,642 | $13.29 |
| 9 | West Bend, WI | $27,489 | $13.22 |
| 10 | Grand Rapids, MI | $26,934 | $12.95 |
| 11 | Albuquerque, NM | $26,742 | $12.86 |
| 12 | Leesburg, VA | $26,299 | $12.64 |
| 13 | Erie, PA | $26,280 | $12.63 |
| 14 | Melrose Park, IL | $25,987 | $12.49 |
| 15 | Savannah, GA | $25,482 | $12.25 |
| 16 | Austin, TX | $25,045 | $12.04 |
| 17 | Hilton Head Island, SC | $25,014 | $12.03 |
| 18 | Lawrence, KS | $23,820 | $11.45 |
| 19 | Kansas City, MO | $23,331 | $11.22 |
| 20 | Des Moines, IA | $21,703 | $10.43 |
Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard salary details
A lifeguard/head lifeguard's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $35,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a lifeguard/head 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 | $28,189 | $2,349 | $14 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying lifeguard/head lifeguard jobs
The highest paying types of lifeguards/head 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 lifeguards/head lifeguards now:
Which companies pay lifeguards/head lifeguards the most?
Lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries at Trustmark Insurance Co and PSEA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary at companies like Hidden Valley Country Club and State of Connecticut are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trustmark Insurance Co | $37,274 | $17.92 |
| 2 | PSEA | $37,093 | $17.83 |
| 3 | Hidden Valley Country Club | $34,493 | $16.58 |
| 4 | State of Connecticut | $33,851 | $16.27 |
| 5 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $33,003 | $15.87 |
| 6 | Woodfield Country Club | $31,554 | $15.17 |
| 7 | Adams 12 Five Star Schools | $31,228 | $15.01 |
| 8 | Loudoun County Social Svc | $30,941 | $14.88 |
| 9 | The Walt Disney Company | $30,861 | $14.84 |
| 10 | WTS International | $29,869 | $14.36 |
| 11 | Centra | $29,668 | $14.26 |
| 12 | Tarrant County | $29,525 | $14.19 |
| 13 | Prince William County | $29,510 | $14.19 |
| 14 | Hilton CSD | $29,422 | $14.15 |
| 15 | University of Maine | $28,979 | $13.93 |
| 16 | University of Michigan | $28,939 | $13.91 |
| 17 | Village of Lincolnwood | $28,413 | $13.66 |
| 18 | Chautauqua Institution | $28,409 | $13.66 |
| 19 | City of Worcester | $28,332 | $13.62 |
| 20 | City of Boulder | $27,932 | $13.43 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard salary by industry
The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary varies across industries:
- The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary in the education industry is $29,741, the highest of any industry.
- The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary in the finance industry is $27,759.
- Lifeguards/head lifeguards in the non profits industry earn an average salary of $24,938, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for lifeguards/head lifeguards
| Rank | Industry | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $29,741 | $14.30 |
| 2 | Government | $27,759 | $13.35 |
| 3 | Hospitality | $27,458 | $13.20 |
| 4 | Health Care | $26,025 | $12.51 |
| 5 | Non Profits | $24,938 | $11.99 |
High Paying Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard Jobs
Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard salary trends
The average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary has risen by $6,895 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average lifeguard/head lifeguard earned $21,294 annually, but today, they earn $28,189 a year. That works out to a 23% change in pay for lifeguards/head lifeguards over the last decade.
Compare lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average lifeguard/head lifeguard salary over time
Compare lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
- National Average
- Columbus, OH
Lifeguard/Head Lifeguard salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $28,200 | $13.55 | +6.4% |
| 2024 | $26,400 | $12.69 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $25,200 | $12.14 | +5.0% |
| 2022 | $24,000 | $11.53 | +4.7% |
| 2021 | $22,900 | $10.99 | +3.9% |
Recently added lifeguard/head lifeguard salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date Added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Point | Lifeguard-for Summer | Lorain, OH | 12/16/2024 | $37,566 |
| Premier Aquatic Services LLC | Morning Lifeguard | Aliso Viejo, CA | 12/16/2024 | $35,479 |
| City of Columbia | Head Lifeguard (Open Until Filled) | Columbia, TN | 12/15/2024 | $30,366 |
| Greater Joliet Area YMCA | Galowich Lifeguard | Joliet, IL | 12/15/2024 | $29,740 |
| Livun Ltd. | Head Lifeguard | New York, NY | 12/15/2024 | $41,740 |
| Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort | Recreation Lifeguard-Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort | Hilton Head Island, SC | 12/15/2024 | $40,175 |
| YMCA of Greater Brandywine | Daytime Lifeguard | Exton, PA | 12/14/2024 | $29,218 |
| University of St. Thomas | Head Lifeguard-Anderson Athletic Recreation Center | Saint Paul, MN | 12/14/2024 | $35,416 |
| Marana Unified School District | Lifeguard (2 Positions) | Pine, AZ | 12/13/2024 | $34,519 |
| Carroll ISD | Head Lifeguard Pool) | Nome, TX | 12/13/2024 | $36,919 |
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