There are currently an estimated 113,500 lifeguards in the United States. The lifeguard job market is expected to grow by 6.2% between 2022 and 2032.
How employable are lifeguards?
CareerExplorer rates lifeguards with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 20,400 lifeguards. That number is based on 7,000 additional lifeguards, and the retirement of 13,400 existing lifeguards.
What’s the supply of lifeguards?
The lifeguard industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Illinois
Lifeguard job market by state
| State Name | Employed Lifeguards |
|---|---|
| California | 15,770 |
| Texas | 13,350 |
| Illinois | 8,000 |
| New York | 7,940 |
| Florida | 7,650 |
| Ohio | 7,240 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,200 |
| New Jersey | 4,880 |
| North Carolina | 4,850 |
| Colorado | 4,400 |
| Missouri | 3,920 |
| Wisconsin | 3,820 |
| Michigan | 3,630 |
| Massachusetts | 3,630 |
| Georgia | 3,330 |
| Minnesota | 3,190 |
| Indiana | 3,130 |
| Tennessee | 2,810 |
| Maryland | 2,720 |
| Washington | 2,240 |
| Oregon | 2,020 |
| Utah | 2,020 |
| Iowa | 1,950 |
| Kansas | 1,890 |
| Arizona | 1,850 |
| Connecticut | 1,530 |
| Nevada | 1,500 |
| Nebraska | 1,240 |
| Alabama | 1,200 |
| South Carolina | 1,200 |
| Louisiana | 1,190 |
| Kentucky | 1,040 |
| Oklahoma | 950 |
| Hawaii | 930 |
| New Mexico | 760 |
| Idaho | 760 |
| North Dakota | 530 |
| Arkansas | 510 |
| Maine | 490 |
| South Dakota | 490 |
| West Virginia | 390 |
| Wyoming | 370 |
| Rhode Island | 370 |
| New Hampshire | 360 |
| Delaware | 340 |
| Vermont | 330 |
| Mississippi | 330 |
| Alaska | 310 |
| Montana | 270 |
| District of Columbia | 190 |
| Puerto Rico | 150 |
| Guam | 120 |