How much does a lifeguard make?
Answer: A typical lifeguard in the United States makes $33,580 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 158,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Lifeguard pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $25,780 | $33,580 | $43,970 | about 158,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $52,630 | about 720 |
| California | $42,720 | about 23,000 |
| Washington | $37,770 | about 5,000 |
| Massachusetts | $36,650 | about 3,000 |
| New York | $36,590 | about 9,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, useful certificates, and extra responsibility can affect a lifeguard’s pay. Employers and locations differ, and seasonal work or fewer hours can change how much someone earns over a year.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a lifeguard do?
Monitor recreational areas, such as pools, beaches, or ski slopes, to provide assistance and protection to participants.
What's a typical day like?
At a pool, lifeguards scan their assigned swim area, remind guests of safety rules, and check water quality and conditions. If someone is in trouble, they make a rescue and give first aid or CPR.
How to get this job
U.S. lifeguards usually need no formal school credential but must swim well; Red Cross students must be 15 or older and pass a swim test. They train in water rescue, CPR/AED, and first aid, then pass skills and written tests for certification.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and helping and teaching.
Did you know?
A person who is drowning may be unable to call for help, so lifeguards watch for quiet signs—not just splashing.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Protective Service jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/recreational-protective-service-workers.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9092.00
- www.redcross.org/take-a-class/lifeguarding/lifeguard-training
- www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/training-services/no-index/LG_PM_digital.p
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY