Emergency Medical Technician
Respond to 911 calls, assess and treat patients and transport them safely.
- $44,470
- 1–6 months
Public Safety & Security career
Lifeguard
Also called: Pool Lifeguard · Beach Lifeguard · Waterfront Lifeguard · Ski Patroller
What lifeguards do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a lifeguard do?
Lifeguards, ski patrol and other recreational protective service workers monitor swimmers and visitors, enforce safety rules, perform rescues and give first aid at pools, beaches, waterparks and ski areas. The median pay is $33,580 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–2 weeks, and employment is projected to grow +5.5% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$33,580$16.14/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+5.5%2025–35, faster than average
- Openings per year45,400Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to train1–2 weeksTypical program length
- U.S. jobs162,000Employment, 2025
What lifeguards do
Lifeguards prevent drownings and injuries. They scan the water constantly, enforce rules, recognize swimmers in distress, perform rescues, give CPR and first aid and help with pool safety checks. Beach lifeguards also watch for rip currents and surf conditions. Ski patrollers do similar work on mountains.
Lifeguards need a lifeguard certification such as American Red Cross Lifeguarding, which includes swimming prerequisites, rescue skills, CPR/AED and first aid. It is a popular first job and a strong stepping stone to EMS, firefighting and aquatics management.
Typical duties
- Scan assigned zones continuously
- Enforce pool and beach rules
- Perform water rescues
- Give CPR, AED and first aid
- Check water and facility safety
- Educate swimmers about safety
- Complete incident reports
Work environment and schedule
Lifeguards work at pools, beaches, waterparks and lakes, often in the sun and heat. Ski patrollers work outdoors in cold and snow.
Schedule: Many jobs are seasonal and part-time, with weekend and summer hours. Year-round indoor pools offer more steady work.
A day in the life
- Perform an opening safety check of the pool and rescue equipment.
- Rotate to the deep-end chair and scan the zone.
- Rescue a child struggling in the deep end.
- Give first aid for a scraped knee.
See a full day in the life of a lifeguard →
Lifeguard salary
Half of lifeguards earned more than $33,580 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $25,780 for the lowest 10% to $43,970 for the top 10%.
Full lifeguard pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a lifeguard
- Build swimming strength
- Take a lifeguard course
- Pass the tests
- Get hired
- Advance
No formal education is required. Lifeguards complete a certification course that includes swimming prerequisites, rescue skills, CPR/AED and first aid.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a lifeguard →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Water rescue skills
- CPR and AED
- First aid
- Surveillance and scanning
- Rule enforcement
People skills
- Alertness
- Quick decision making
- Communication
- Responsibility
All lifeguard skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Quick certification
- Great first job
- Outdoor work and fitness
- Pathway to EMS and firefighting
Cons
- Seasonal and part-time
- Sun and heat exposure
- Responsibility for lives
- Repetitive scanning
Certifications and licenses
- American Red Cross Lifeguarding: Common certification including CPR/AED and first aid.
- Ellis & Associates or YMCA lifeguard certification: Alternative lifeguard programs.
- USLA open water lifeguard certification: Standards for beach lifeguards.
- Water Safety Instructor (WSI): Certification to teach swimming.
Career path
- Lifeguard: Watch swimmers and perform rescues.
- Head Lifeguard: Lead guards and training.
- Aquatics Supervisor: Manage pool operations.
- Aquatics Director, EMT or Firefighter: Lead programs or move into emergency services.
Learn the job before day one
Our Lifeguard training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as scan your zone effectively and perform a front rescue, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Lifeguard vs. EMT · Lifeguard vs. Firefighter · Lifeguard vs. Recreation Worker · Lifeguard vs. Personal Trainer
Lifeguard FAQ
How old do you have to be to be a lifeguard?
Many programs certify lifeguards at 15 or 16.
How long is lifeguard training?
Often one to two weeks or a few weekends.
Is lifeguarding seasonal?
Many jobs are summer jobs, though indoor pools hire year-round.
How much does a lifeguard make?
The median annual wage for lifeguards was $33,580 ($16.14 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $25,780 and the highest 10% earned more than $43,970.
How long does it take to become a lifeguard?
Most people need about 1–2 weeks of training. No formal education is required. Lifeguards complete a certification course that includes swimming prerequisites, rescue skills, CPR/AED and first aid.
Do you need a degree to be a lifeguard?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 33-9092 (Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Lifeguards, ski patrol, and other recreational protective service workers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.