How much does a lifeguard make in Santa Cruz?
$39,970a year
Median yearly pay for lifeguards in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $19.22 an hour or $3,331 a month.
- Hourly
- $19.22
- Vs. national median
- +19%
- Rank among cities
- 10 of 263
- Jobs in the area
- 340
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,440Median: $39,970Highest 10%: $47,860
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,440 | $17.04 | |
| 25th | $36,360 | $17.48 | |
| Median | $39,970 | $19.22 | |
| 75th | $43,360 | $20.85 | |
| 90th | $47,860 | $23.01 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for lifeguards.
| Los Angeles, CA | $43,800 |
| San Diego, CA | $43,050 |
| San Jose, CA | $42,460 |
| 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 Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
Salaries for every job in Santa Cruz, CAFrequently asked questions
How much does a lifeguard make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $19.22 ($39,970 a year).
Do lifeguards make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $39,970 against $33,580 nationally, 19% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $42,720, so Santa Cruz pays 6% less.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for lifeguard pay?
10 of 263 metro areas with data.
How much does a lifeguard make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,440 or less a year; the top 10% make $47,860 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.