Lifeguarding in OC (California) is totally lucrative; some make over $200k

Orange County Register ^ | May 10, 2011 | Brian Calle

[rightwingintelligentsia]

High pay and benefits for lifeguards in Newport Beach is the latest example of frustrating levels of compensation for public employees. More than half the city’s full-time lifeguards are paid a salary of over $100,000 and all but one of them collect more than $100,000 in total compensation including benefits.

When thinking about career options with high salaries, lifeguarding is probably not one of the first jobs to come to mind. But it apparently should. In one of Orange County’s most desirable beach destinations, Newport Beach, lifeguards are compensated all too well; especially compared with the county annual median household income of $71,735.

It might be time for a career change.

According to a city report on lifeguard pay for the calendar year 2010, of the 14 full-time lifeguards, 13 collected more than $120,000 in total compensation; one lifeguard collected $98,160.65. More than half the lifeguards collected more than $150,000 for 2010 with the two highest-paid collecting $211,451 and $203,481 in total compensation respectively. Even excluding benefits like health care and pension, more than half the lifeguards receive a total salary, including overtime pay, exceeding $100,000. And they also receive an annual allowance of $400 for “Sun Protection.” Many work four days a week, 10 hours a day.

Lifeguarding in Newport Beach is a pretty good gig, if you can get it.

[ClearCase_guy]

When budgets get tight, government always cuts Police coverage, Fire stations, Children's services, and Elder services. The areas that hurt.

Cutting waste, fraud, abuse? They can't seem to find any.

[John O]

Seems to me they could get some college kids to do that for the summer at 1/3rd the price or less.

California really is granola land.

[chimera]

Hey, don't knock it. Hollyweird made a whole TV serious about this “profession”. In one version of The Sims (version 2, I think), Lifeguard was one rung on the ladder of the “Slacker” career path, right up there with Professional Party Guest. California, what a state...

[laweeks]

California really is granola land.

I think Johnny Carson once said, "California is like granola: What isn't fruit and nuts is flakes."

[G Larry]

There’s at least one “fringe” benefit they failed to mention.......

All of the eye candy you could possibly want.......and you get to decide which to take home at the end of the day!

[paulycy]

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