Over 100 lifeguards in Los Angeles County pocketed a staggering $70.8 million last year. This includes a single lifeguard who alone took home $523,351. Let that sink in: taxpayers are footing the bill for outrageous salaries and benefits that defy common sense.
This phenomenon isn’t new. A 2019 investigation unveiled that L.A. County lifeguards earn far above the national average, boasting not just hefty salaries but also generous retirement and health benefits, plus lucrative overtime. Five years later, the problem persists, with an updated analysis revealing that 134 lifeguards raked in at least $200,000, while 34 of the highest earners eclipsed $300,000 in total compensation. It’s an egregious misuse of taxpayer dollars.
Chief Fernando Boiteux leads the pack, with total compensation exceeding half a million dollars. Meanwhile, over just five years, the top ten highest overtime earners among lifeguards averaged between $345,000 and $702,000 each—amassing over $4.7 million collectively. This isn’t a meritocracy; it’s a flagrant example of fiscal irresponsibility.
Retirement options for lifeguards are equally concerning. Many can retire at a relatively young age, around 50, while receiving defined pension benefits that can surpass what most hardworking Americans earn throughout their careers. This system is a recipe for financial disaster.
Sources such as the Wall Street Journal previously identified this trend as a result of non-competitive contracts and the cozy relationships between unions and local governments. In 2009, the city of Santa Monica entered into a $25 million contract for lifeguard services with no competitive bidding—just a shocking lack of oversight that has continued for years.
It’s not just lifeguards feeling the bounty. Other city employees, including LAPD officers, are similarly overcompensated. For instance, one detective earned an astounding $603,887 last year, primarily from overtime. The Fire Department’s top employees aren’t far behind, with several exceeding $500,000 annually.
These exorbitant salaries highlight a severe issue: government overreach and mismanagement. The CEO of OpenTheBooks.com, John Hart, succinctly put it: cozy union relationships and bureaucratic red tape have left California residents paying the price. Reallocating these resources must focus on efficiency and core services, rather than inflating the wallets of a privileged few. It’s time to prioritize what’s best for the taxpayers of Los Angeles County.
