How much does a lifeguard make?
The median lifeguard in the United States earns $33,580 per year, about $16.14 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all lifeguards earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 33-9092.
Lifeguard salary range
Pay for lifeguards spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $25,780 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $43,970. The average (mean) wage of $34,470 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $25,780 | $12.40 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $28,880 | $13.89 | |
| Median (50th) | $33,580 | $16.14 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $37,520 | $18.04 | |
| 90th percentile | $43,970 | $21.14 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers (SOC 33-9092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Lifeguard salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Lifeguards earn the most in District of Columbia at $60,400 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $22,240. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $60,400 | 290 |
| Hawaii | $52,630 | 720 |
| California | $42,720 | 22,620 |
| Washington | $37,770 | 4,720 |
| Montana | $37,750 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $36,650 | 2,640 |
| New York | $36,590 | 8,740 |
| Vermont | $36,030 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $35,960 | 1,510 |
| Rhode Island | $35,770 | 370 |
| Colorado | $35,640 | 5,430 |
| Arizona | $35,380 | 3,950 |
| Florida | $35,040 | 9,460 |
| Oregon | $35,030 | 1,860 |
| New Jersey | $34,760 | 5,460 |
| Alaska | $34,540 | 340 |
| Maryland | $34,520 | 4,160 |
| Maine | $34,320 | 340 |
| Illinois | $33,710 | 5,880 |
| New Hampshire | $32,100 | 280 |
| Delaware | $31,930 | 360 |
| Minnesota | $31,870 | 2,130 |
| South Dakota | $30,990 | 490 |
| Georgia | $30,880 | 2,840 |
| Nevada | $30,830 | 2,630 |
| Virginia | $30,070 | 8,920 |
| Michigan | $29,760 | 3,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,480 | 5,450 |
| Texas | $29,450 | 11,320 |
| Missouri | $29,260 | 3,100 |
| Nebraska | $29,100 | 1,250 |
| Wyoming | $29,030 | 500 |
| Idaho | $28,770 | 750 |
| Utah | $28,720 | 2,550 |
| Indiana | $28,640 | 3,290 |
| New Mexico | $28,590 | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $28,570 | 3,350 |
| Kentucky | $28,520 | 1,820 |
| North Dakota | $28,430 | 580 |
| Tennessee | $28,200 | 2,330 |
| Alabama | $28,130 | 1,080 |
| Ohio | $27,770 | 6,450 |
| North Carolina | $27,310 | 4,850 |
| Kansas | $27,220 | 1,750 |
| Arkansas | $27,000 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $26,210 | 1,900 |
| Iowa | $25,460 | 1,410 |
| Oklahoma | $25,250 | 650 |
| West Virginia | $24,670 | 450 |
| Mississippi | $24,440 | 330 |
| Louisiana | $22,240 | 660 |
State median wages for lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers (SOC 33-9092), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for lifeguards
The BLS projects employment of lifeguards to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 162,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 170,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 45,400 openings a year for lifeguards. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a lifeguard
The typical entry-level education for lifeguards is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a lifeguard earns
Employer, region, seniority, rank, and overtime shape take-home pay. Large departments, unions, and high cost areas raise the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $60,400) and the lowest (Louisiana, $22,240) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 157,550 people work as lifeguards in the United States. At $33,580 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Lifeguard salary FAQ
How much does a lifeguard make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a lifeguard is $16.14. The middle half of lifeguards earn between $13.89 and $18.04 per hour.
What is the highest lifeguard salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of lifeguards earn more than $43,970 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a lifeguard make a year?
The median annual salary for a lifeguard is $33,580. The average (mean) wage of $34,470 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a lifeguard a well paid job?
At $33,580 a year, a lifeguard earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 157,550 people work as lifeguards in the United States.
Which state pays lifeguards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for lifeguards at $60,400 a year. Hawaii ($52,630) and California ($42,720) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a lifeguard a good career?
Employment of lifeguards is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 45,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a lifeguard?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for lifeguards as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Public Safety salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.