How much does a lifeguard make in California?
$42,720a year
Median yearly pay for lifeguards in California. That is $20.54 an hour or $3,560 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.54
- Vs. national median
- +27%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 22,620
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,620Median: $42,720Highest 10%: $58,710
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,620 | $16.64 | |
| 25th | $37,320 | $17.94 | |
| Median | $42,720 | $20.54 | |
| 75th | $44,960 | $21.62 | |
| 90th | $58,710 | $28.23 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Los Angeles, CA | $43,800 |
| San Diego, CA | $43,050 |
| San Jose, CA | $42,460 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $39,970 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $39,580 |
| Riverside, CA | $39,160 |
| San Francisco, CA | $39,120 |
| Stockton, CA | $38,480 |
| Sacramento, CA | $38,070 |
| Oxnard, CA | $37,650 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $37,320 |
| Vallejo, CA | $37,010 |
| Modesto, CA | $36,960 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $36,360 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $36,360 |
| Fresno, CA | $35,820 |
| Salinas, CA | $34,620 |
| Chico, CA | $34,320 |
| El Centro, CA | $34,320 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for lifeguards.
| 1. District of Columbia | $60,400 |
| 2. Hawaii | $52,630 |
| 3. California | $42,720 |
| 4. Washington | $37,770 |
| 5. Montana | $37,750 |
| 6. Massachusetts | $36,650 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lifeguard make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $20.54 ($42,720 a year).
Do lifeguards make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $42,720 against $33,580 nationally, 27% more.
Where does California rank for lifeguard pay?
California ranks 3 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays lifeguards the most?
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, with a median of $43,800 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.