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Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Pay

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Jul 07, 2025
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Thinking about a role where you help others, where every single day brings a chance to make a real difference? Maybe you have heard about the brave individuals who serve as Coast Guard rescue swimmers. These remarkable people, also known as aviation survival technicians, have a main job: pulling people out of tough spots. This could mean getting folks off a boat in a big storm, or it could be helping someone who needs medical care way out at sea. It is a demanding role, to be sure, and one that asks a lot from those who step up to do it.

The work these rescue swimmers do is, you know, quite intense. They put their own lives on the line so others can keep theirs. It is a calling that requires strength, quick thinking, and a deep sense of caring for fellow humans. So, it is only natural to wonder about what they earn for such important work. How much do these folks get paid for facing such challenges?

We are going to talk about the money side of being a Coast Guard rescue swimmer. We will look at how their pay is figured out, what the average earnings look like, and even how it stacks up against similar roles in other military branches. It is pretty interesting, actually, to see the details behind the compensation for these true heroes. We will also touch on the rigorous training they go through, which, by the way, is a very big part of their daily life.

Table of Contents

What Do Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers Actually Do?

Coast Guard rescue swimmers, known in official terms as aviation survival technicians, have a core purpose. They are there to save people in trouble. Their work can take them into a whole lot of different situations. For instance, they might be called to rescue individuals from a boat caught in the middle of a very rough hurricane. Or, they could be helping with medical help for someone who is far from land, needing urgent care. They are the ones who go into harm's way, you know, when others cannot.

These specialized individuals are equipped with certain survival skills and a good deal of practical knowledge. This training is very important for keeping themselves and other people safe, whether they are in the water or on dry ground. Their daily tasks involve a wide range of duties, all focused on saving lives. It is a job that asks for a lot of courage and a steady hand, too.

The Coast Guard's rescue swimmers are often seen as part of their special operations force. They are the brave young men and women who put their own safety aside to help others live. They really do risk everything. Their responsibilities include a lot more than just jumping into the water. They often coordinate with other teams and aircraft during complex rescue efforts, ensuring that everyone involved stays safe and the mission is successful, which is a pretty big deal.

How Are Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Salaries Determined?

When we talk about how much Coast Guard rescue swimmers get paid, it is, you know, a pretty structured system. The basic monthly pay for enlisted service members in the Coast Guard is set using a specific pay table. This table takes into account a person's rank and how long they have been serving. So, as a rescue swimmer gains more experience and moves up in their career, their basic pay tends to increase.

The Coast Guard, like other parts of the military, has a clear system of ranks. Each rank has its own pay grade. These grades, along with how long someone has been in the service, are the main things that figure out their monthly earnings. It is not just a flat rate for everyone. It depends on where they are in their career path, basically.

Beyond the basic pay, there can be other forms of money that add to a rescue swimmer's total compensation. These might include allowances for housing or food, which are given to help cover living costs. These extra payments are not always part of the base salary, but they do contribute to the overall financial picture for these dedicated individuals. It is, you know, a way to make sure they are supported while they do their very important work.

What is the Average Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Pay?

Let's get down to the numbers for Coast Guard rescue swimmer pay. Across the entire United States, the typical annual earnings for a Coast Guard rescue swimmer come out to about $85,728. This figure represents what most people in this role can expect to make over a year. It is a good way to get a general idea of the financial side of this demanding job, you know.

However, some reports suggest a different average. According to various sources, the annual salary for a Coast Guard rescue swimmer might be around $38,000, which works out to about $18 an hour. This difference can be due to a few things, like how the data was collected or what specific pay elements were included in the calculation. It is, you know, a bit of a range, but both figures give us a sense of the pay.

It is important to remember that these are average figures. What an individual rescue swimmer actually earns can depend on their specific rank, how many years they have served, and where they are stationed. The base salary at the U.S. Coast Guard for an aviation rescue swimmer is reported to be around $80,000 per year, which is pretty close to that higher average we mentioned earlier. So, there is some consistency there, more or less.

Is Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Pay Different Across the Country?

You might be wondering if Coast Guard rescue swimmer pay changes depending on where you are in the country. And the answer is, yes, it can vary a little bit. For example, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer working in your local area makes, on average, about $18 per hour. This is, you know, a bit more than the national average hourly salary for this role, which sits at $17.20. That means someone in your area might earn about $0.52 more per hour, or roughly 30.134% more.

It seems that when it comes to Coast Guard rescue swimmer salaries, your specific area might actually stand out. In fact, your area ranks number one out of all 50 states nationwide for these salaries. This suggests that certain locations might have a higher cost of living or other factors that lead to slightly better compensation for these vital service members. It is, you know, something to keep in mind if you are considering this path.

While the overall average gives a good picture, these local differences show that where a rescue swimmer is based can play a part in their hourly or annual earnings. It is not a huge difference, but it is there. These figures come from anonymous salary reports provided by Coast Guard employees in the United States, so they give us a pretty good idea of what people are actually earning in various places, basically.

What About Bonuses for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers?

Beyond the regular pay, Coast Guard rescue swimmers can sometimes get extra money in the form of bonuses. The typical bonus for a Coast Guard rescue swimmer is around $3,333. This amount represents about 4.05% of their average salary. It is a nice little extra, you know, that can add to their overall earnings for the year.

Not every rescue swimmer receives a bonus every year, though. About 5% of people in this role report that they get a bonus each year. This suggests that bonuses might be tied to specific conditions, like certain achievements, special assignments, or perhaps re-enlistment incentives. It is not a guaranteed part of the pay package for everyone, but it is a possibility for some, which is good to know.

The information we have suggests that the average additional pay for an aviation rescue swimmer at the U.S. Coast Guard is $0 per year. This figure, you know, could include various forms of extra money, like cash bonuses, stock options, commission, or profit sharing. The fact that it is listed as zero on average might mean that these types of additional payments are not very common or are only given in very specific circumstances. So, while bonuses do happen, they are not a universal part of the Coast Guard rescue swimmer pay structure.

The Rigorous Path to Becoming a Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer

Becoming a Coast Guard rescue swimmer is, you know, not for the faint of heart. The physical fitness training required to become a Navy or Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer is among the most demanding in the entire military. It is a crucible, a very tough test that earns individuals the honor to risk their own lives so others may live. This intense training is a big part of what makes them so good at what they do.

The training involves meeting very strict minimum physical fitness standards. These standards ensure that only the strongest and most resilient individuals make it through the program. It prepares them for the extreme physical challenges they will face during real-life rescue operations. It is, you know, about building both body and mind to handle incredibly stressful situations.

Those who complete this rigorous training join a special group. This place, meaning the community of Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmers, was created by and for them. It openly welcomes all brothers and sisters who have completed the difficult process to earn their place. The training is not just about getting fit; it is about developing the mental toughness and survival skills needed to perform under pressure, which is really important.

The Human Impact - Real Stories of Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers

Beyond the numbers and the training, there are the very real stories of Coast Guard rescue swimmers making a profound difference. Take, for example, Coast Guard rescue swimmer Petty Officer Scott Ruskan. He is credited with saving a truly remarkable number of people. In fact, during his very first rescue mission, he saved 165 individuals. This happened during the catastrophic flash flooding on the Guadalupe River, which was a very serious event.

Ruskan's job during that mission involved saving victims who were on the ground and also helping to coordinate evacuations. He worked alongside 12 rescue helicopters from many different agencies, which is a big team effort. His actions show the kind of real-world impact these individuals have. It is, you know, a powerful example of what Coast Guard rescue swimmers do every day.

His story, and others like it, highlight the true value of these specialized people. They are not just figures on a pay table; they are individuals who step into danger to bring others to safety. It is a testament to their courage and their extensive training. Here's a quick look at some details from that particular mission:

NamePetty Officer Scott Ruskan
EventCatastrophic flash flooding on the Guadalupe River
First MissionYes, this was his very first rescue mission
People Saved165 individuals
RoleSaving victims on the ground, coordinating evacuations with 12 helicopters from many groups

This kind of work, you know, is what makes the Coast Guard rescue swimmer role so incredibly vital.

How Does Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Pay Compare to Other Branches?

When we look at how Coast Guard rescue swimmer pay stacks up against rescue swimmers in other military branches, it is a little bit interesting. Generally speaking, rescue swimmers in other parts of the military are typically paid more than those in the Coast Guard. However, this is not a hard and fast rule. It really depends on several different things, which can make the comparison a little less straightforward, you know.

Factors like the specific branch, the individual's rank, their length of service, and any special qualifications can all play a part in determining the pay. For instance, while the training to become a Navy or Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer is equally tough, the pay structures might differ. So, a Navy rescue swimmer might start at a different pay grade or have access to different types of bonuses or allowances that could lead to higher overall compensation.

For anyone in the service, it is always a good idea to talk with their superiors about promotions and potential salary increases. This is the best way to get clear information about their specific situation and how their pay might grow over time. While the Coast Guard rescue swimmer pay is substantial for the critical work they do, it is worth knowing that other branches might offer slightly different financial packages for similar life-saving roles, more or less.

Coast Photos, Download The BEST Free Coast Stock Photos & HD Images
Coast Photos, Download The BEST Free Coast Stock Photos & HD Images
Coasts with the Most | BBC Storyworks
Coasts with the Most | BBC Storyworks
Coast Photos, Download The BEST Free Coast Stock Photos & HD Images
Coast Photos, Download The BEST Free Coast Stock Photos & HD Images

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