How Much Does a Lifeguard Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$33,580
Lifeguards in the U.S. earn a median of $33,580 a year, or $16.14 an hour. Half of lifeguards earn more than $33,580 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $43,970.
Pay percentiles for lifeguards
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $12.40 | $25,780 |
| 25th | $13.89 | $28,880 |
| 50th (median) | $16.14 | $33,580 |
| 75th | $18.04 | $37,520 |
| 90th | $21.14 | $43,970 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers (SOC 33-9092). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for lifeguards
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $60,400 | $29.04 | +80% |
| Hawaii | $52,630 | $25.30 | +57% |
| California | $42,720 | $20.54 | +27% |
| Washington | $37,770 | $18.16 | +12% |
| Montana | $37,750 | $18.15 | +12% |
| Massachusetts | $36,650 | $17.62 | +9% |
| New York | $36,590 | $17.59 | +9% |
| Vermont | $36,030 | $17.32 | +7% |
| Connecticut | $35,960 | $17.29 | +7% |
| Rhode Island | $35,770 | $17.20 | +7% |
| United States | $33,580 | $16.14 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many lifeguards are there?
BLS counts about 157,550 lifeguards employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers”. The most jobs are in California (22,620), Texas (11,320) and Florida (9,460).
The mean (average) annual wage is $34,470, higher than the median of $33,580.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $2,798
- Biweekly
- $1,292
- Weekly
- $646
- Daily (8 hours)
- $129
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do lifeguards make an hour?
The median hourly wage for lifeguards is $16.14. The middle 50% earn between $13.89 and $18.04 an hour.
Which state pays lifeguards the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for lifeguards at $60,400, +80% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for lifeguards?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of lifeguards earn less than $25,780 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.