Lifeguard salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A lifeguard earns a median of $33,580 a year ($16.14 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $34,470. About 157,550 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $33,580
- Gross pay
- $1,291.54
- Federal income tax
- −$71.14
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$80.08
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$18.73
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $1,121.60
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $33,580
- Federal
- $1,850
- FICA
- $2,569
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $29,162
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Lifeguard salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $60,400 | $58,460 | 290 |
| Hawaii | $52,630 | $55,150 | 720 |
| California | $42,720 | $44,380 | 22,620 |
| Washington | $37,770 | $39,940 | 4,720 |
| Montana | $37,750 | $39,910 | 270 |
| Massachusetts | $36,650 | $37,930 | 2,640 |
| New York | $36,590 | $37,800 | 8,740 |
| Vermont | $36,030 | $36,720 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $35,960 | $37,050 | 1,510 |
| Rhode Island | $35,770 | $36,150 | 370 |
| Colorado | $35,640 | $36,900 | 5,430 |
| Arizona | $35,380 | $35,010 | 3,950 |
| Florida | $35,040 | $35,510 | 9,460 |
| Oregon | $35,030 | $35,640 | 1,860 |
| New Jersey | $34,760 | $36,280 | 5,460 |
| Alaska | $34,540 | $34,390 | 340 |
| Maryland | $34,520 | $34,970 | 4,160 |
| Maine | $34,320 | $36,510 | 340 |
| Illinois | $33,710 | $34,230 | 5,880 |
| New Hampshire | $32,100 | $34,850 | 280 |
| Delaware | $31,930 | $32,570 | 360 |
| Minnesota | $31,870 | $32,330 | 2,130 |
| South Dakota | $30,990 | $31,370 | 490 |
| Georgia | $30,880 | $30,840 | 2,840 |
| Nevada | $30,830 | $31,440 | 2,630 |
| Virginia | $30,070 | $31,700 | 8,920 |
| Michigan | $29,760 | $33,670 | 3,770 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,480 | $30,020 | 5,450 |
| Texas | $29,450 | $30,380 | 11,320 |
| Missouri | $29,260 | $30,500 | 3,100 |
| Nebraska | $29,100 | $30,680 | 1,250 |
| Wyoming | $29,030 | $31,780 | 500 |
| Idaho | $28,770 | $28,450 | 750 |
| Utah | $28,720 | $30,990 | 2,550 |
| Indiana | $28,640 | $28,590 | 3,290 |
| New Mexico | $28,590 | $31,510 | 760 |
| Wisconsin | $28,570 | $29,710 | 3,350 |
| Kentucky | $28,520 | $27,610 | 1,820 |
| North Dakota | $28,430 | $28,090 | 580 |
| Tennessee | $28,200 | $28,400 | 2,330 |
| Alabama | $28,130 | $27,390 | 1,080 |
| Ohio | $27,770 | $28,820 | 6,450 |
| North Carolina | $27,310 | $29,100 | 4,850 |
| Kansas | $27,220 | $27,000 | 1,750 |
| Arkansas | $27,000 | $27,780 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $26,210 | $27,170 | 1,900 |
| Iowa | $25,460 | $25,890 | 1,410 |
| Oklahoma | $25,250 | $26,170 | 650 |
| West Virginia | $24,670 | $25,430 | 450 |
| Mississippi | $24,440 | $25,220 | 330 |
| Louisiana | $22,240 | $24,230 | 660 |
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- Security Guard: $38,020
- Crossing Guard and Flagger: $38,100
- Protective Service Worker: $42,540
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- Animal Control Worker: $45,660
- Parking Enforcement Worker: $46,730
- Private Detective and Investigator: $51,220
BLS occupation: Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 33-9092). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lifeguard make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $16.14; the average is $16.57.
Which state pays lifeguards the most?
District of Columbia ($60,400 median), followed by Hawaii and California.
What is the salary range for a lifeguard?
The bottom 10% earn under $25,780 and the top 10% earn over $43,970 a year.
How much is $33,580 after taxes?
About $29,162 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $28,399 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.