No matter how suspicious they look. (Source)

If you swim like a dolphin, have loads of patience, and have a CPR certificate, you could be a swim instructor (or one impressive dolphin...kudos on that CPR certificate if so).

You could also be a lifeguard, a high school swim coach, or training for the Olympics. The only thing? None of those pay very much—including teaching kids and tots how to use a kickboard and do rotary breathing.

Unless you're being paid to teach posh celebrity kids to swim in the comfort of their Beverly Hills backyard swimming pools, you're looking at an hourly rate of between $10 and $14 an hour (source). 

It's also most likely a seasonal job, with the bulk of the work shoring up during the summer at community pools and camps. True, swim instructors are needed year round at your local YMCA or community center, as well as at schools and private swim programs all over the country—but most people turn their attention to swimming when it's hot outside and school's out.

Sure, I'll catch you. I promise. Yeah. (Source)

There are also swim teams and swim clubs that offer year round instruction through USA Swimming (yes, the same organization that trains Olympic athletes). You won't be training with Missy Franklin or Michael Phelps—although you could be teaching the next Olympic hopeful who is now just a tadpole or a minnow. Just think...maybe by teaching that floppy, awkward preschooler who's all splash and elbows how to swim, you could foster a lifelong love of the sport.

Or, your name might come up when that kid is grown and on the therapist's couch. Kindly remember that tossing her into the deep end and texting your buddies while she screams for help is not "tough teachin'."

Most of your students will probably be little kids who have parents that want them to learn to swim so they can make friends or fit in better with the other kids over the summer. If you live in a warm climate surrounded by water, say in California or Florida, learning to swim is vital for both safety and having a social life.

You could also teach adults to swim, most likely in private lessons. Many who have reached adulthood and haven't learned to swim have a phobia or some prior incident that frightened them about getting in the water. You'll have to be extra patient in your lessons. 

Being able to teach all different ages makes you much more valuable. Teaching infants, toddlers, grade school children, teens, adults, or seniors requires a different skill set for each group. Learn to teach them all and you'll always find work somewhere (especially in the summer).

Teaching differently-abled people how to swim—even those with severe disabilities—can be extremely rewarding. You'll probably need extra training on how to teach these kids (who may have sensory issues and behaviors to address), but you'll probably also be paid more. You could get certification in aqua therapy in order to do just that.

You can also teach group classes for both kids and adults. Seniors love water aerobics. You could have the thrill of being an exercise instructor without having to do crunches.

Some local community pools and camps may have you work as both a lifeguard and a swim instructor—that way they can hire one person instead of two. 

You'll need Red Cross CPR, first aid and lifesaving certification, and teacher training. Many community pools, YMCAs, schools, and camps will accept Red Cross certification, in addition to passing their lifeguard tests and proving what an awesome swimmer you are (source). 

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