Salaripedia
English

How much does a lifeguard make in Columbia?

$26,720a year

Median yearly pay for lifeguards in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $12.85 an hour or $2,227 a month.

Hourly
$12.85
Vs. national median
-20%
Rank among cities
210 of 263
Jobs in the area
240
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,280Median: $26,720Highest 10%: $34,560
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$21,280$10.23
25th$22,100$10.63
Median$26,720$12.85
75th$31,770$15.27
90th$34,560$16.62

Other cities in South Carolina

Median yearly pay for lifeguards.

Charleston, SC$33,170
Myrtle Beach, SC$30,270
Charlotte, NC$28,740
Augusta, GA$27,700
Spartanburg, SC$26,670
Greenville, SC$23,450
Lifeguard salary in South Carolina Lifeguard salary in all states

Related jobs in Columbia

Same field, median yearly pay.

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$85,820
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$73,450
Detective and Criminal Investigator$66,340
Transportation Security Screener$64,150
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$61,830
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$59,260
Protective Service Worker$51,630
Private Detective and Investigator$48,000
Correctional Officer and Jailer$44,860
First-Line Supervisors of Security Worker$43,140
Salaries for every job in Columbia, SC

Frequently asked questions

How much does a lifeguard make an hour in Columbia?

The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $12.85 ($26,720 a year).

Do lifeguards make more in Columbia than the national average?

No: $26,720 against $33,580 nationally, 20% less.

How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?

The median in South Carolina is $26,210, so Columbia pays 2% more.

Where does Columbia rank for lifeguard pay?

210 of 263 metro areas with data.

How much does a lifeguard make starting out in Columbia?

The lowest-paid 10% make $21,280 or less a year; the top 10% make $34,560 or more.

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.