lifeguard salary

[dawp]

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lifeguards-high-pay-riles-apf-3067894082.html?x=0

kind of surprising that a lifeguard can make that kind of money but I don't begrudge them that. I'm sure they have to maintain top physical shape to do the job without risking their lives in some of the work they do.

 

[Bignate603]

You're a few days late

Different town, but same issue.

 

[KeithP]

The way I understand it, there are always a ton of people of applying for those Lifeguard positions when they become available. It seems to me, if lots of people are willing to do the job, the salary/compensation should drop until the demand for the position by qualified applicants starts to drop off.

Private companies can feel free to pay what they like, but tax funded positions should always pay the lowest possible amount that ensures qualified/competent employees.

-KeithP

 

[DaveSimmons]

"Those whose salaries are in question point out that they hold management roles, have decades of service and are considered public safety employees under the fire department, the same as fire captains and battalion chiefs. The fulltime guards train more than 200 seasonal lifeguards who make between $16 and $22 an hour, run a junior lifeguard program that brings in $1 million a year and oversee safety on nearly seven miles of sand.

And when the surf is really pumping -- like it was late this week with 20-foot wave faces at the infamous Wedge -- the supervisory lifeguards are just as busy as the seasonal staff with dangerous rescues, said Brent Jacobsen, president of the Lifeguard Management Association, the lifeguards' union.

Many began as seasonal guards and worked their way into management roles and must stay certified as instructors in an array of advanced emergency, scuba and rescue techniques, Jacobsen said."

---

Also the "total compensation" listed isn't salary, it's adding in employer-paid medical, pension, etc. which at many private-sector jobs is 25-50% of the salary amount. Are they paid too much? Maybe, but the soundbite version is misleading.

 

[Bignate603]

The way I understand it, there are always a ton of people of applying for those Lifeguard positions when they become available. It seems to me, if lots of people are willing to do the job, the salary/compensation should drop until the demand for the position by qualified applicants starts to drop off.

Private companies can feel free to pay what they like, but tax funded positions should always pay the lowest possible amount that ensures qualified/competent employees.

-KeithP

Tons of people applying for positions doesn't mean you actually have tons of people that are capable of doing the job. Lifeguarding in surf is extremely demanding. I know a guy that did it on the east coast, it was no walk in the park.

 

[dawp]

Tons of people applying for positions doesn't mean you actually have tons of people that are capable of doing the job. Lifeguarding in surf is extremely demanding. I know a guy that did it on the east coast, it was no walk in the park.

ya, I don't think I'd want someone like Norm from Cheers trying to save me.

 

[Bignate603]

ya, I don't think I'd want someone like Norm from Cheers trying to save me.

The guy I knew that did it swam competitively and did quite well. All American in high school, and a full ride to Penn state. They're not hiring the random high school kid that you see guarding the local pool.

 

[silverpig]

"Those whose salaries are in question point out that they hold management roles, have decades of service and are considered public safety employees under the fire department, the same as fire captains and battalion chiefs. The fulltime guards train more than 200 seasonal lifeguards who make between $16 and $22 an hour, run a junior lifeguard program that brings in $1 million a year and oversee safety on nearly seven miles of sand.

And when the surf is really pumping -- like it was late this week with 20-foot wave faces at the infamous Wedge -- the supervisory lifeguards are just as busy as the seasonal staff with dangerous rescues, said Brent Jacobsen, president of the Lifeguard Management Association, the lifeguards' union.

Many began as seasonal guards and worked their way into management roles and must stay certified as instructors in an array of advanced emergency, scuba and rescue techniques, Jacobsen said."

---

Also the "total compensation" listed isn't salary, it's adding in employer-paid medical, pension, etc. which at many private-sector jobs is 25-50% of the salary amount. Are they paid too much? Maybe, but the soundbite version is misleading.

Yup, I brought this up in the old thread. It's not the noobs off the street who make $200k.

 

[mmntech]

It's a bit steep if you ask me. It's a skilled job though that can't be filled with some minimum wage monkey. I undertook the training in my teens but I couldn't meet the strength requirements at the time. It's hard work.

 

[Koing]

Yup, I brought this up in the old thread. It's not the noobs off the street who make $200k.

Exactly, the title is uber miss leading...they do a f0cking risky and tough job. It's not like they are in an indoor pool...

Koing