Two lifeguards in Los Angeles made nearly $ 400,000 in 2019
The highest-paid lifeguard in Los Angeles made nearly $ 400,000 in 2019, while 82 others made at least $ 200,000 or more during the year.
According to a report by Forbes, Fernando Boiteux brought in $ 391,971 in 2019, making him the city’s highest-paid lifeguard.
As Acting Chief Lifeguard, Boiteux had a salary of $ 205,619, benefits of $ 60,452, and benefits of $ 125,900.
Fernando Boiteux (left) brought in $ 391,971 in 2019, making him the highest-paid lifeguard in Los Angeles. The second top earner was Captain Daniel Douglas (right), whose total compensation was $ 368,668
The second best earner was Captain Daniel Douglas, whose total compensation was $ 368,668, including a base salary of $ 140,706, $ 131,493 in overtime, $ 21,760 in “other pay” and $ 74,709 in benefits.
Forbes, referring to its own auditors on OpenTheBooks.com, reported 82 lifeguards made $ 200,000 or more in 2019.
According to the report, 31 lifeguards earned between $ 50,000 and $ 131,493 in overtime.
Of the $ 368,668 Douglas earned in 2019, $ 131,493 had been paid for overtime.
Behind Douglas was lifeguard captain Jeffrey Horn, who raised a total of $ 254,382.
Lifeguard Captain Patrick O’Neill made $ 249,556 and the top five earnings were completed with Lifeguard Department Head Timothy Arnold, who earned $ 204,182.
Most of the lifeguards were men, but there were two women who were the highest earners.
Virginia Rupe made $ 281,000 and Christine Linkletter brought in $ 279,980, according to Forbes.
Rupe and Linkletter barely made the top 20 highest paid lifeguards in Los Angeles, with overtime making up the majority of their earnings.
And if the salaries aren’t surprising enough, many of the lifeguards who saved lives and were awarded the Medal of Valor weren’t part of the top earner.
In 2020, Edward Macko won the medal but earned only $ 134,144 in compensation.
According to Forbes, Macko pulled a man out of the rough waters of a Palos Verdes gorge.
Meanwhile, lifeguards aren’t even paid half of what most lifeguards are paid.
The highest paid pool lifeguard in Los Angeles County earned just $ 46,997, including salary and benefits.
According to the report, government employees in California cost taxpayers $ 45 billion a year.
In other comparisons, some of these highest paid lifeguards earn more or just as much as some surgeons, attorneys and top Los Angeles agents.
The median salary for a surgeon ranges between $ 382,793 and $ 537,227. Los Angeles lawyers earn between $ 96,092 and $ 127,079 on average.
The Los Angeles Chief of Police earns more than $ 307,000.
While there has been debate over the salary of the highest-paid lifeguards in LA, those whose salary in question note that they have been employed for decades and are considered public safety workers under the fire department, as are firefighters and chiefs.
Most of the lifeguards were men, but there were two women who were the highest earners. Virginia Rupe (right) made $ 281,000 and Christine Linkletter (left) brought in $ 279,980