There are currently an estimated 152,100 lifeguards in the United States. The lifeguard job market is expected to grow by 7.6% between 2016 and 2026.
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 22,200 lifeguards. That number is based on 11,600 additional lifeguards, and the retirement of 10,600 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 |
| Massachusetts | 3,630 |
| Michigan | 3,630 |
| Georgia | 3,330 |
| Minnesota | 3,190 |
| Indiana | 3,130 |
| Tennessee | 2,810 |
| Maryland | 2,720 |
| Washington | 2,240 |
| Utah | 2,020 |
| Oregon | 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 |
| Mississippi | 330 |
| Vermont | 330 |
| Alaska | 310 |
| Montana | 270 |
| District of Columbia | 190 |
| Puerto Rico | 150 |
| Guam | 120 |