Austin Parks recruits lifeguards at $22.05/hour | The Locally Times
The Austin Parks and Recreation Aquatic Division is recruiting what it calls hundreds of lifeguards for the 2026 swim season, a push that coincides with new seasonal entry fees at four city pools.
The City of Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department has initiated a recruitment effort for the 2026 swim season, offering a starting wage of $22.05 per hour for lifeguards. Training for the positions is ongoing, with sessions scheduled during spring break. To be eligible, candidates must be at least 15 years old. A public notice specifies that applicants must complete their job applications and hiring paperwork before they can register for a training session. Recruitment materials state that the city welcomes candidates from all backgrounds, origins, and identities. ## Seasonal Pool Fees Begin Coinciding with the lifeguard recruitment, the Parks and Recreation Department began charging seasonal entry fees at four of its pools on March 14, 2026. A city news release confirms the fees apply to Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, Bartholomew, and Springwoods pools. Two other facilities, Big Stacy and Colony Park pools, will continue to offer free entry year-round. For visitors to the paid facilities, the department is offering season passes for purchase. According to the city’s announcement, these passes are valid through October 31, 2026. The purchase of a season pass also includes parking at Zilker Park, a benefit for visitors to Barton Springs Pool. ## Unspecified Staffing Targets and Budget While the city has publicized the recruitment campaign and the $22.05 starting wage, official documents do not provide complete details on the scope of the initiative. The department's call for hundreds of lifeguards does not include a specific numerical hiring target for the 2026 season. Publicly available records also do not compare this goal to staffing levels from previous years, which would provide context on whether the city is expanding its lifeguard corps or addressing a shortage. Furthermore, the Parks and Recreation Department has not released budget documents that detail the total financial allocation for the new lifeguard salaries. The records do not specify the full cost of the recruitment drive or how the increased wages will affect the Aquatic Division’s overall budget. Information comparing the $22.05 per hour wage to pay for similar positions in other Texas cities or to other seasonal jobs within the City of Austin is not included in the department’s announcements.