With the impending minimum wage increase, I am reviewing our lifeguard wages. I would like to compile what other park districts are paying their lifeguards currently and if they plan to increase wages after the minimum wage increase goes into effect. Please post your current wages for first-year/starting lifeguards. Also, if you plan to increase wages in response to the minimum wage increase, please post what your new first-year/starting lifeguard rate will be. I’ll be happy to compile the responses in a report to share with everyone.
Buffy Feinstein
Aquatic/Facilities Coordinator, Village of Niles
Buffy, our current starting rate for lifeguards is $7.25. We will be giving our staff a raise and an adjustment into the new scale on May 14 this year (just happens to be the time we give raises this year). Our new starting rate for a first-year lifeguard (16 or older) will be $7.75 ($7.50 if under 16). So the majority of our staff will receive their normal $.25 raise and an additional $.50 raise to adjust them into the new pay scale. I know some agencies are waiting until July 1 to begin their new salary scale but we were able to do it sooner. It also eliminates exta wor or paperwork for those involved.
By the way, this is for the Gurnee Park District