How much does a lifeguard make in San Diego?
$43,050a year
Median yearly pay for lifeguards in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $20.70 an hour or $3,588 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.70
- Vs. national median
- +28%
- Rank among cities
- 6 of 263
- Jobs in the area
- 2,480
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,280Median: $43,050Highest 10%: $59,410
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,280 | $16.96 | |
| 25th | $37,520 | $18.04 | |
| Median | $43,050 | $20.70 | |
| 75th | $46,710 | $22.46 | |
| 90th | $59,410 | $28.56 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for lifeguards.
| Los Angeles, CA | $43,800 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in San Diego, CAFrequently asked questions
How much does a lifeguard make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $20.70 ($43,050 a year).
Do lifeguards make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $43,050 against $33,580 nationally, 28% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $42,720, so San Diego pays 1% more.
Where does San Diego rank for lifeguard pay?
6 of 263 metro areas with data.
How much does a lifeguard make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,280 or less a year; the top 10% make $59,410 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.