Also called: Beach Lifeguard
Watches swimmers at ocean beaches for city, county and state lifeguard agencies, spotting rip currents, making rescues in the surf and giving first aid.
Ocean lifeguards scan waves for rip currents, paddle out on rescue boards, give first aid, and keep beaches safe. Full-time lifeguards in places like Los Angeles County earn well over $100k as careers.
Most lifeguards are seasonal; career ocean lifeguards with fire departments earn much more.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. Lifeguard and EMT certifications; ocean swim tests.
Ways in: Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Emergency Medical Services.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Drones spot swimmers and drop floats, but paddling out through surf to rescue people stays human.
Age 16+. One way to start: Try out for your city or county ocean lifeguard program (swim test), then do their academy First: Open-water lifeguard academy (about 1–2 weeks), first aid and CPR
Classes: Physical education and swimming, Health, Biology.
Official data: O*NET occupation 33-9092.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.