Waste of the Day: Baywatch on Paywatch

Topline: Lifeguarding in Los Angeles County is not just a way to soak up some sun at the beach. It’s one of the most lucrative public sector jobs in America.

Very highly paid lifeguards

Thirty-eight lifeguards each made more than $300,000 in salary and benefits in 2025, according to payroll records obtained by Open the Books. The highest-paid was chief lifeguard Fernando Boiteux, who made $568,049.

Key facts: Most of the top-paid lifeguards were employed by the fire department to work at Los Angeles’ largest beaches. The 164 full-time employees — those enrolled in a pension plan — made $41.2 million from total salary and benefits.

The high pay was partially driven by overtime, with 20 lifeguards each netting at least $80,000. There were another three lifeguards that made over $50,000 from what the payroll lists only as “other earnings.”

The county also contributes generously to lifeguards’ pension plans. Boiteux’s pay package included a $103,414 pension contribution, and 40 others got at least $50,000. When lifeguards retire with at least 33 years of service, they earn annual pensions worth up to 90% of their base salary.

Lifeguards employed by the parks department to monitor lakes and pools typically made less money, though senior lake lifeguard Robert Kelly made $524,908 including benefits.   

Search all federal, state and local salaries and vendor spending with the world’s largest government spending database at OpenTheBooks.com.

The larger context

Background:  Open the Books has covered Los Angeles’ lifeguard payroll since 2021, when the top-paid employee made $392,000 from salary and benefits. Payroll costs have increased dramatically since then, even when accounting for inflation. 

Los Angeles lifeguards are frequently recognized for their extraordinary bravery. Last year, several lifeguards were honored at the county’s annual Medal of Valor ceremony for rescuing six passengers from an overturned sailboat, including one trapped underwater. There is certainly a reasonable argument to be made that public servants putting themselves in harm’s way deserve especially high compensation. 

But, at the same time, Los Angeles County is facing budget troubles that have already led to cuts and layoffs in other departments. Recovery from last year’s wildfires cost an estimated $2 billion, and the county recently approved a $4 billion settlement to settle thousands of sexual abuse claims dating back to 1959.         

Summary: If Los Angeles’ payroll keeps increasing unchecked, the county might need to be saved from drowning in debt.

The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com.

This article was originally published by RealClearInvestigations and made available via RealClearWire.