Lifeguard instructor
Also called lifeguard trainer, pool lifeguard trainer, instructor of lifeguards
Lifeguard instructors teach future (professional) lifeguards the necessary programmes and methods needed to become a licensed lifeguard. They provide training on safety supervision of all swimmers, assessment of potentially hazardous situations, rescue-specific swimming and diving techniques, first aid treatment for swimming-related injuries, and they inform students on preventative lifeguard responsibilities. They ensure students are aware of the importance of checking safe water quality, heeding risk management and being aware of the necessary protocols and regulations regarding lifeguarding and rescuing. They monitor the students' progress, evaluate them through theoretical and practical tests and award the lifeguard licenses when obtained.
What you'd do
Sports coaches, instructors and officials · ILO- Identifying strengths and weaknesses of athletes or teams
- Planning, developing and implementing training and practice sessions
- Developing, planning and co-ordinating competitive schedules and programmes
- Motivating and preparing athletes or teams for competitive events or games
- Formulating competitive strategy, developing game plans and directing athletes and players during games or athletic events
- Analysing and evaluating athletes' or teams' performances and modifying training programmes
- Monitoring and analysing technique and performance, and determining how future improvements can be made
- Officiating at sporting events or athletic competitions to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules and safety regulations are observed
- Recording lapsed time and keeping score during events or competitions
- Judging the performance of competitors, awarding points, imposing penalties for infractions and determining results
- Compiling scores and other athletic records
- Indoors and outdoors
- A mix of sitting and standing
- Constant contact with people, including the public
- Some freedom to decide
- Usually under 40 hours a week
- Deadlines now and then
- Some repetitive tasks
Will there be jobs?
Yes, good prospectsMany jobs will need filling by 2035.
Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.
What does it pay?
About averagePay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,400 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,600 (Luxembourg), before tax.
Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.
Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat
What do I need to study?
Usually post-secondary or a short degreePost-secondary training or a short degree in protection of persons and property is the usual route.
819 institutions in the EU offer services bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.
Will AI change it?
LittleAI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.
Average task score 0.37 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).
See the score for each of the 11 tasks
Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for sports coaches, instructors and officials. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).