As I’ve said before—lifeguarding is more than a typical full-time summer or part-time school year job. The fact is that guarding requires certification beyond that involved as a Starbucks barista or restaurant waitress. Therefore, lifeguards can and honestly should require above minimum wage—currently set at an average of $7.50 across the United States (in the year 2010).
At a bare minimum, your employer should require all lifeguards to hold a valid lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and first aid certification. Valid refers to confirmation from a recognized source which can vouch for your proficiency at the required skills (i.e. Red Cross, YMCA, etc.). As certification in these areas often requires you to pay a fee for the class, you should be deserving of a wage above that of the typical non-professional job.
Be aware that if you are employed by a private company (from country clubs to private swim clubs), they do reserve the right to pay you what they deem fit. However, you should undoubtedly attempt to negotiate any pay wage which may fall below minimum wage, at the very least—due to the fact that your job does require outside certification and demonstrated expertise at expected skill levels.
If you find yourself in need of an argument as to why you deserve a paycheck above that of the typical employee, remind your company that the sole responsibility of your position is to protect patrons’ lives in an aquatic environment. False assumptions surrounding the job of a lifeguard (for example, that you just sit around all day) regrettably surrounds your chosen position. Therefore, it is up to you to prove to your employer that your job is to literally protect lives.
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