This Fourth of July, the spotlight in Los Angeles extends beyond the usual fireworks and festivities to the staggering salaries of county lifeguards, as revealed in a report by the fiscal watchdog group OpenTheBooks. It was disclosed that one lifeguard in L.A. County earned over half a million dollars in 2024, while 34 others made salaries exceeding $300,000. Alarmingly, a total of 134 lifeguards received annual compensations of at least $200,000 through a combination of base pay, overtime, and various benefits. This revelation raises eyebrows among taxpayers, particularly in a city grappling with pressing issues like a shortage of emergency responders and rampant crime.
John Hart, CEO of OpenTheBooks, acknowledged the necessity for lifeguards to be adequately compensated due to the perilous nature of their job. However, he emphasized that such high salaries might provoke concern among Los Angeles residents who are financially burdened. He pointed out the city’s struggle to address urgent concerns, such as wildfires and crime, and labeled the lifeguards’ earnings as “lavish” given the current state of emergency services in the region. As much as $70.8 million was paid collectively to the top 134 lifeguards last year, averaging over $500,000 each in total compensation.
The report illustrates that the figures include not only base and overtime salaries but also “other pay,” encompassing various benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and long-term disability coverage. The highest-earning lifeguard reportedly garnered $523,351 from these sources in 2024. This wealth of compensation raises questions about fiscal prudence in a city where essential services like police and firefighting continue to struggle with staffing shortages and budget constraints. Lifeguards, who operate within one of the largest professional lifeguard services in the U.S., have significant responsibilities that vary from overseeing swimmers to responding to major emergencies.
Lifeguard salaries in Los Angeles have drawn attention in the larger context of overtime pay, a topic that has ignited discussions in cities nationwide. The scenario isn’t unique to Los Angeles; for instance, Seattle police officers have faced disciplinary actions for violating overtime policies, with some officers earning more than their city’s top officials. In Chicago, statistics indicate a worrisome trend of overspending on police overtime, showing an increase of 30% compared to the budgeted allocation in the first half of 2024. In New York City, investigations are ongoing into claims of overtime abuse involving former high-ranking police officials.
In part, these alarming earnings could be linked to policy discussions surrounding overtime compensation. A recent Republican-led initiative, often referred to as the “big beautiful bill,” aims to modify tax regulations on overtime pay, which could further complicate the landscape of public service salaries. Although the House version proposed no cap on exempt overtime, the Senate version limited it to $12,500, reflecting the ongoing negotiation surrounding fiscal policies and their implications on public sector wages.
As these fiscal discussions unfold, the OpenTheBooks report serves as a mirror reflecting the broader challenges governing compensation and budgeting for essential services. While lifeguards undoubtedly face inherent risks in their professions, the disproportionate salaries raise crucial questions about equity and the prioritization of resources in a city facing significant financial and operational hurdles. As stakeholders continue to debate the direction of public service compensation, Los Angeles stands at a pivotal intersection where community needs and fiscal responsibility must be balanced.
