Lifeguard jobs, your rules.
Your certification is worth more than a summer at the community pool. Accept the bookings you want — backyard parties, camps, private events — and get paid after every shift.
Competitive hourly pay + 100% of tips and boosts.
Independent contractor work — you choose your schedule, bookings, and cities.
From certified to earning
- 1
Apply in minutes
Upload your certification, ID, and photo, and complete the guided W-9 — all in one signup flow.
- 2
Get verified
We review your certification and identity. Once approved, you're live and visible to nearby customers.
- 3
Accept bookings you want
Open requests appear in your feed. First to accept wins the shift — or customers can book you directly.
- 4
Get paid after every shift
Earnings transfer to your bank via Stripe when the booking completes. Tips and boosts are 100% yours.
What you need to join
- 18 or older
- Current lifesaving certification (verified by our team)
- Current CPR certification, if your lifesaving cert expires within a year
- Government-issued ID + a real profile photo
- A completed W-9 — guided, right in the signup
- A bank account for Stripe payouts (set up after approval)
You set the schedule
Toggle availability on and off. Take one shift a month or guard all summer — no minimums, no penalties.
Paid per shift
No waiting for payday. Earnings transfer via Stripe after each completed booking, and tips are 100% yours.
Boosts on urgent jobs
Customers can add a boost to urgent requests to make them worth your while — boosts go entirely to you.
Backed by the platform
Upfront pricing, in-app messaging, live navigation, and support — so you can focus on the water.
Where guards are earning
Guardly is rolling out city by city — these markets are recruiting certified professionals now.
Lifeguard jobs, explained
Is lifeguarding on Guardly a job or gig work?
Guardly professionals are independent contractors, not employees. You choose which bookings to accept, set your own availability, and work as much or as little as you want — a single Saturday party or a full summer of camp sessions.
What do I need to start earning on Guardly?
You need to be 18 or older with a current lifesaving certification (plus a current CPR certification if your lifesaving cert expires within a year), a government-issued ID, a profile photo, and a completed W-9. The guided signup walks you through every step.
How and when do I get paid?
Earnings are transferred to your bank account through Stripe after each completed booking — no invoicing, no chasing checks. Tips are yours, 100%, on top of your hourly pay.
Do I keep my tips?
Yes — 100% of every tip goes to you. Customers can also add a boost to urgent requests, and boosts go entirely to the professional too.
Can I work in more than one city?
Yes. Your service area follows you — if you're near open requests, you'll see them. Snowbird guards who split the year between markets can work both.
