Lifeguard Pay Increase To Help With Pool Staff Shortage, Mayor Says

NEW YORK, NY — Public pools plagued by surprise closures and long wait times in their first week will get some help from the city thanks to a deal with the lifeguard union, according to Mayor Eric Adams.

The mayor said Wednesday that starting wages for lifeguards at city pools will increase this summer to $19.46, a move officials hope will help with a national lifeguard shortage that has not spared the Big Apple.

Lifeguards typically made $16 per hour in starting wages, according to reports.

“Every New Yorker deserves to safely enjoy our city’s public pools and beaches this summer and my team has taken extraordinary measures to make that happen," Adams said. "Today we reached a deal with the lifeguard union to address the immediate needs of our pools."

The union deal also includes a new training program that will help with staffing needs specifically at the city's 17 mini pools. In all, the city runs more than 50 pools throughout the five boroughs.

The program will create a class of lifeguards specific to the mini pools, which serve as cooling centers across the city, Adams said.

Lifeguards who work every week through the end of the summer season will also get a retention bonus in September, according to the mayor.

“While these changes are a step in the right direction, our ability to safely open beaches and pools has been impacted by a national lifeguard shortage, and has also been held back by inefficient practices that are in dire need of further reform," Adams said. "We will continue to work closely to correct course on policies that don’t serve New Yorkers and pool resources from all agencies to ensure a fun and safe summer.”