So, you’ve been eyeing up the prospect of becoming a certified swimming instructor and sharing your passion for the water with your students. Naturally, you're likely wondering what life will look like once you manage to attain the certifications and dream job you’re after. Well, a substantial part of determining how your life is likely to look will depend on your earning potential as a swimming instructor. In order for you to make an informed decision as to whether or not the career path is for you, you’re going to want to know how the salaries shape up across the US. Swim instructors in the United States make an average of $31,909 per year or $15.34 per hour. You’ll also want to note that this figure is merely the average, and it’s likely to deviate from this figure quite a bit depending on the respective swim instructor requirements.
How Much Do Swim Instructors Make in the US?
If you’re curious about how much swimming instructors make here in the US, you’re going to need to know more than the average swimming instructor salary. While this figure will tell you how much the typical instructor makes in the US, you also need to realize that the US is a ginormous country. Swimming instructors in the likes of New York City and the rural Midwest are contributing to this figure despite having vastly different respective costs of living. This should give you a sense of how the average salary often doesn’t paint the full picture.
You may also notice some variance in how much swim instructors make in the US from one job website to the next. For example, if you were to have a look at Talent.com, you’d find that starting positions pay $27,300 yearly, while experienced pros can make up to $42,072 annually.
While it’s not worlds apart, it's still quite a chunk of a difference from what the numbers say on Glassdoor, which have those in the profession earning from $37,696 to $62,354 per year. The discrepancy in these figures can be attributed to the difference in the number of instructors between the two sites, the hours required for the roles, the different lesson plans and structures, and the respective location and level of the positions listed. Remember, not all swimming instructor jobs have the same number of hours per week.
Many instructors teach classes on a part-time basis, while others may operate more hectic schedules with their days jampacked with lessons from the moment they clock in.
So, while averages can give a good base, you should have some understanding of the factors that are going to be at play when determining how much cash you walk away with at the end of every year.
The swimming certifications that you’ve added to your arsenal throughout your time as an instructor will allow you to command a higher rate for your service or allow you to apply for higher-paying organizations. Then the level of the students that you intend to teach will also come into play, as will the years of teaching experience you have under your belt.
Swim Instructor Salary By Area
Perhaps the biggest factor that’s going to play a role in determining your earning potential here in the US is going to be where you’re going to be working. The average wage can change substantially from one place to the next. So, too can the cost of living, so even if you were to earn the same salary, it may go a lot further in a smaller town than it would if you find yourself in a major city. Let’s take a look at the salary a swimming instructor can earn across the US by looking at some major areas, which is a key point to look out for in any swim instructor job description!
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a sizable city here in the US, and it’s definitely got a more than attractive pay rate for swimming instructors to go with it. Imagine completing a day’s work and leaving with the fulfilment knowing that you helped your students learn important life skills and conquer their fears of the water, all while knowing you’ve bagged somewhere in the region of about $22.98 per hour.
When it comes to the yearly earnings that those in this role take home on a yearly basis in Philadelphia, new instructors start at around $31,200 per year, while experienced ones can make up to $39,520.
Then if you were fortunate enough to land a teaching role at a premium swimming school like Sunsational Swim School then you’d be earning a base rate of around $30 per hour. Not bad for day’s work of doing something you love, right? This shows how working for high-end swim schools can boost an instructor's income in the city.
NYC
As you might have expected, New York City is an area with one of the largest salaries in the US. It only makes sense when you think about it. Jobs pay more in this city than almost anywhere else in the US, so naturally, people have more disposable income to throw at swimming lessons.
Swimming instructors in New York make an average of $32.86 per hour. To save you from having to punch the numbers into your calculator, this translates roughly to somewhere between $38,393 and $57,995. So, if you’re lucky enough to already reside in the city or come across the opportunity to work there, make sure to grab it!
Miami
When you think about desirable locations to take the course or work as a swimming instructor, Miami is most definitely at the top of the list. Nestled along the coast with gorgeous beaches and private beach clubs, you’ll have no shortage of outdoor and indoor pools to find work at. Despite the attractive lifestyle that comes with living and working in Miami, you’ll like to hear about the even more attractive average hourly rate of $43.87.
So, after a year of coaching students of all ages closer towards their goals in the pool, while taking in all of that Miami sunshine, your yearly earnings should fall within $36,295 to $61,368. This is largely thanks to the city's high demand for qualified swimming professionals like yourself.
With Florida’s year-round warm weather and abundance of aquatic programs—from community centers to private clubs and luxury resorts—the need for certified instructors remains consistently high. Moreover, experienced instructors who specialize in competitive coaching or adaptive aquatics may be able to command even higher salaries, especially if they develop strong client bases or move into supervisory roles.
LA
From one attractive coastline location to the next, another area that all aspiring swimming instructors have aspirations of teaching is LA. Los Angeles also does not disappoint when it comes to the earning potential of instructors, who make about $30.45 per hour.
If you truly love swimming, then the time will likely fly by, and the money will begin to rack up.
Again, how you manage to secure work will also dictate your earnings.
The cream of the crop would be working with the likes of UCLA, which offers swim instructors annual salaries from $43,860 to $74,537.
That's quite the paycheck, right?
Landing a position with prestigious institutions or elite private clubs for swimming can significantly boost your income and offer added benefits like healthcare, paid time off, and professional development. Additionally, instructors who specialize in competitive swim coaching or adaptive aquatics often command higher rates due to their niche expertise. Networking, certifications, and years of experience all play a role in climbing the salary ladder in this rewarding career.
Chicago
Heading back over across the country, we find ourselves in Chicago, where swim instructors earn around $23.62 per hour. While you might not have the attractive outdoor pools that some of the other locations offer, well, none that you’ll want to be teaching at over the harsh winter months anyway, there are some exceptional indoor pools across the city. With these facilities come plenty of opportunities for instructors like yourself to earn a living doing what you love.
The Requirements to Work as a Swimming Instructor
If all this talk of salaries has you excited to get started as a swimming instructor, then great! However, there are a few requirements you may need to work towards if you want to be successful in your application to any role as a full or part-time instructor.
Let’s start off with the most black and white requirement that won’t require any work, only maybe some waiting around if you’re not old enough already. Depending on the state that you intend to work in, you’ll need to be at least fifteen or sixteen years of age.
The American Red Cross certification programs require participants to be at least 15 years old when they complete their Basic Swim Instructor or Water Safety Instructor certification course. Many facilities set their age limit at 16 years old. You’ll also need to have a minimum high school diploma and be finished with school.
Once these are out of the way, you’ll be able to begin working through the most important requirements, getting proper certification. Of the certifications that are available here in the US, the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) or Basic Swim Instructor (BSI) certification are the most recognized one you’ll want to add to your resume.
While crucial, you might have guessed that a piece of paper wouldn’t cut it in all cases, as many programs will extend the necessity for you to show swimming skills at Learn-to-Swim Level 4 or higher. CPR and First Aid certifications are also required for all swimming instructors. These safety credentials help you respond to water emergencies. Then, some certification paths, like the CFSI program, will also need some proof that you completed 30 hours of in-water training.
At this point, you’re more or less set. The only other things that are going to sway the odds in your favor and help you meet the requirements of any jobs you come across would be gaining teaching experience and improving your communication skills. These will be looked at extensively for any swimming instructor roles that you apply for anywhere in the US.
Employers look for candidates who can communicate well and know how to work with people of all ages. Background checks are standard, and many facilities require drug testing. Your career growth and earning potential will improve with additional certifications and specialized training.
Working as a Swimming Instructor
Hopefully, after reading, you will find yourself more informed about how much a swimming instructor can earn here in the US. You should know not just how much you can make on average but also how factors like location, hours worked, level, and experience can affect the rate that you take home, whether that’s on an hourly or yearly basis. You should now be in a position to make a decision as to whether the career path is right for you, or have a better idea of where exactly it is that you’d like to work. There aren’t all that many careers that let you help keep people safe while offering flexible schedules and meaningful connections with students of every age.
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