All You Need To Know About A Pool Guy Career
You consider becoming a pool technician but are not entirely sure whether this is the right career for you or not?
Great! This article is exactly for you since I will show you everything you need to know about being a pool guy or gal in the following chapters.
Not only will you learn how much you can make as a pool technician, but we will also talk about job satisfaction, prospects, future outlook, work-life balance, educational requirements, duties and much more.
You will also find an FAQ section at the end of this article where I answer all sorts of questions about working as a pool guy for you.
After reading this article, you will have a much better idea of whether you still want to become a pool guy or rather want to go for a different job instead.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What does a Pool Technician do?
Pool technicians install, maintain and clean pools and make sure that their customers can use their pools in the best possible manner.
They also make sure that hygienic requirements are met so that the water doesn’t start to smell poorly and no bacteria can spread.
Responsibilities & Duties of a Pool Technician
- Installing pools
- Cleaning pools
- Maintaining pools
- Fixing things around the pool
- Making sure that hygienic requirements regarding pool care are met
- Assuring proper water pH
- Mixing and adding chemicals to assure high water quality
- Making sure that the water doesn’t start to smell
- Taking measures to slow down bacteria and algae development
- Obeying laws and regulations related to pool services
What a Typical Day of a Pool Technician looks like?
Pool technicians usually start their workday between 8 and 10 a.m.
The first thing they do when they get to work is to have a look at their schedule and figure out what customers they have that day.
They also answer some mails before getting to their actual work.
After arriving at their client’s place, they do basic maintenance service and also clean the pool on a regular basis.
Pool technicians also inspect pools and make sure that they can be used in a safe manner.
They also fix or replace things in case the pump or other pool equipment is broken to make sure that pools can be used in a proper manner.
After doing this kind of hands-on work for many hours on the property of many different clients, you will usually finish your workday between 4 and 6 p.m.
Pool Technician Salary 2023
Pool Technician salary brackets 2023
| Salary Brackets | Salary (per year) | Salary (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Top 10 % | > $69,000 | > $34.42 |
| Top 25 % | $53,000 – $58,000 | $26.41 – $28.93 |
| Bottom 25 % | $34,000 – $39,000 | $16.88 – $19.39 |
| Bottom 10 % | $25,000 – $31,000 | $12.43 – $15.47 |
| Range | $25,000 – $87,000 | $12.43 – $43.89 |
| Average (Mean) | $43,000 | $21.46 |
| Median | $41,000 | $20.44 |
Pool Technician salary 2023 by expert level
| Level of Experience | Salary (per year) | Salary (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $25,000 – $34,000 | $12.43 – $16.92 |
| Junior | $32,000 – $38,000 | $15.94 – $18.95 |
| Professional | $37,000 – $44,000 | $18.47 – $21.89 |
| Senior Professional | $41,000 – $56,000 | $20.44 – $27.93 |
| Expert | $53,000 – $71,000 | $26.43 – $35.46 |
| Top Expert | $69,000 – $87,000 | $34.48 – $43.89 |
Pool Technician salary by state 2023 (average)
| State | Salary (per year) | Salary (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,200 | $20.58 |
| Alaska | $39,400 | $19.69 |
| Arizona | $42,600 | $21.27 |
| Arkansas | $40,900 | $20.43 |
| California | $49,100 | $24.54 |
| Colorado | $38,700 | $19.33 |
| Connecticut | $39,800 | $19.89 |
| Delaware | $41,500 | $20.73 |
| District of Columbia | $43,200 | $21.59 |
| Florida | $45,800 | $22.88 |
| Georgia | $41,100 | $20.53 |
| Guam | $40,700 | $20.34 |
| Hawaii | $44,600 | $22.27 |
| Idaho | $39,900 | $19.93 |
| Illinois | $38,700 | $19.32 |
| Indiana | $36,500 | $18.23 |
| Iowa | $35,800 | $17.88 |
| Kansas | $37,200 | $18.57 |
| Kentucky | $39,700 | $19.82 |
| Louisiana | $42,600 | $21.28 |
| Maine | $40,300 | $20.11 |
| Maryland | $42,800 | $21.38 |
| Massachusetts | $43,500 | $21.74 |
| Michigan | $41,900 | $20.93 |
| Minnesota | $43,700 | $21.84 |
| Mississippi | $37,200 | $18.59 |
| Missouri | $36,900 | $18.42 |
| Montana | $38,800 | $19.37 |
| Nebraska | $36,400 | $18.19 |
| Nevada | $39,100 | $19.54 |
| New Hampshire | $41,300 | $20.62 |
| New Jersey | $42,400 | $21.18 |
| New Mexico | $37,200 | $18.58 |
| New York | $47,800 | $23.89 |
| North Carolina | $42,100 | $21.03 |
| North Dakota | $41,800 | $20.87 |
| Ohio | $39,800 | $19.86 |
| Oklahoma | $40,400 | $20.18 |
| Oregon | $41,500 | $20.73 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,300 | $21.64 |
| Rhode Island | $39,600 | $19.78 |
| South Carolina | $38,200 | $19.09 |
| South Dakota | $36,700 | $18.32 |
| Tennessee | $39,800 | $19.87 |
| Texas | $41,100 | $20.54 |
| Utah | $39,200 | $19.58 |
| Vermont | $40,800 | $20.37 |
| Virginia | $38,300 | $19.12 |
| Washington | $44,200 | $22.09 |
| West Virginia | $41,700 | $20.84 |
| Wisconsin | $39,800 | $19.89 |
| Wyoming | $36,500 | $18.24 |
Job Security of Pool Technicians
Pool technicians don’t have any job security at all since they often work self-employed and are replaceable pretty easily since many people can do this job and you will therefore have to worry about becoming unemployed on a regular basis.
Future Outlook of Pool Technicians
Not only current job prospects are pretty poor, but also the future outlook for pool technicians is sad since a big part of the work pool technicians currently do will be done by intelligent machines in the near future and many pool guys or pool gals will no longer be needed and lose their jobs.
Working Hours of Pool Technicians
Most pool technicians start their workday between 8 and 10 a.m. and finish their workday between 4 and 6 p.m.
Thus, they work in a classical 9 – 5 job and will have more than enough time to spend with their families or to meet up with their favorite people after work.
Job Satisfaction of Pool Technicians
Most pool technicians are not happy with what they are doing for a living since they are not able to make good money and also have to deal with lots of insecurity related to their jobs.
Promotion Opportunities of Pool Technicians
Pool technicians have barely any promotion opportunities at all.
Once you start working in this field, you will do the same things over and over again for many years or even decades to come without getting the opportunity of getting promoted anytime soon.
Career Levels of Pool Technicians
- Pool technician intern
- Pool technician apprentice
- Junior pool technician
- Senior pool technician
- Manager of a pool maintenance company
- Owner of a pool maintenance company
Fields and Types of Pool Technicians
- Pool technician focused on maintaining private pools
- Pool technician specialized in the maintenance of public swimming pools
- Pool technician focused on water chemistry
- Pool technician with expertise in cleaning pools
- Pool technician focused on doing minor repairs
- Pool technician specialized in pool safety
- Pool technicians with expertise in maintaining water fountains in parks
- Employed pool technician
- Pool technician working self-employed
Educational Requirements for Pool Technicians
There are no fancy educational requirements for becoming a pool technician.
You can just apply for jobs in this field after finishing high school and don’t have to spend many years in college as many other people have to do to get their dream jobs.
How to become a Pool Technician
- Inform yourself about the advantages and disadvantages of being a pool technician
- Apply for an internship at a local pool maintenance company
- Make a good impression during your internship
- Stay in touch with your colleagues
- Get your high school diploma with decent grades
- Apply for pool technician jobs in your region
- Master the job interview
- Sign your labor contract
- Start your own pool maintenance business (optional)
Character Traits you need as a Pool Technician
- You should not be afraid of working with your hands
- Willingness to work in a low-wage environment
- You should be reliable and always on time
- You should be trustworthy so that clients recommend your services
- You should be open to critical feedback
- Ability to work hard on yourself
- You should be client-focused
- You should be a good listener
- Ability to deal with snarky comments about your career in a proper manner
Pool Technician Skills
Hard Skills for Pool Technicians
- Good knowledge about cleaning pools
- Knowledge of how to use pool chemicals in a safe manner
- Ability to fix minor issues around pools
- Knowledge of how to replace pool equipment
- Craftsmanship helps as well
- Knowledge of how water pumps work
- Knowledge of preventive maintenance
- You need a driver’s license
- Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations related to pool maintenance
- Digital skills help you promote your business
Soft Skills for Pool Technicians
- You should be customer-focused
- Ability to deal with critical feedback in an emotionally healthy manner
- Good time management skills help you get your work done
- Organizational skills help you manage multiple clients at the same time
- People skills help you lead a team
- Ability to gain the trust of your clients
- Willingness to always learn new things to stay ahead of the game
- You should be good at figuring out what your clients expect
- Multitasking skills help as well
Exit Options for Pool Technicians
Pool technicians have pretty poor exit options since they are rather specialized and don’t learn many things apart from pool maintenance.
While pool technicians are often able to work as facility managers or construction helpers, they have serious problems finding jobs in many different fields since they often lack important hard skills needed in the job market right now.
Pool Technician – Similar Careers
- Facility manager
- Pool attendant
- Gardener
- Welder
- Roofer
- Carpenter
- Tile man
- Property manager
- Construction worker
Pool Technician Career FAQs
Is working as a pool technician physically demanding?
Working as a pool technician can be physically demanding since you will often have to get to your knees to fix and install certain things around the pool and if you don’t want to work with your hands, you should not become a pool guy but rather go for a different career instead.
Is working as a pool technician mentally demanding?
Being a pool technician is not heavily mentally demanding since you will do the same things over and over again and will also develop a certain routine, which makes your workday rather relaxed and you don’t have to stress your brain as much as financial analysts or other people who have to work on complex models all day long.
Is it dangerous to work as a pool technician?
Working as a pool technician is not dangerous at all since you will just work in a rather safe environment and if you follow all the usual safety procedures, your risk of suffering from serious accidents at work will be pretty low.
How long do pool technicians stay in their jobs?
Pool technicians often work in this field for quite a long time.
Even though many of them are not happy with overall working conditions, pool technicians often lack the skills to work in a different field and therefore often get trapped in this industry.
Is it easy for pool technicians to find a new job?
Since educational barriers to entry to work in this field are pretty low, almost everyone can become a pool technician and you will therefore have to deal with fierce competition when it comes to finding a new job and since many jobs will be lost in this industry in the near future, many pool technicians will have to worry about getting laid off and not finding a new job anymore.
Is it hard to switch from being a pool technician to another field of work?
Since you will be pretty specialized as a pool guy, it will also be pretty hard for you to find a job in a different field since you will often just lack important skills needed in the job market right now.
Do pool technicians have a high social status?
Pool technicians have a pretty low social status.
Even though you can do good for many clients every day, many people will still make fun of you and your career choice and you should therefore be able to deal with snarky comments in an emotionally healthy manner before you decide on becoming a pool guy or pool gal.
Can you help out your family and friends as a pool technician?
As a pool technician, you can also help out your family and friends in case they have problems with their pools since it will be pretty easy for you to fix those issues.
In turn, your loved ones don’t have to spend lots of money on pool maintenance and can rather rely on your expertise instead.
Can pool technicians work remotely?
Pool technicians are not able to work remotely since they have to work with their hands in person to fix and maintain pools of many different clients per day.
Consequently, while many other people who work in classical office jobs are able to work from home, you as a pool guy will have to spend lots of time and money commuting to work and back.
Is it easy to find a partner as a pool technician?
Pool technicians have a rather hard time in the dating market since they have a rather low social standing, don’t make good money and also have to fear losing their jobs on a regular basis.
Consequently, they are not considered good providers and may have a hard time finding someone for a long-term relationship.
Do pool technicians have to work on weekends?
Pool technicians don’t have to work on weekends.
However, some pool boys still work on Saturdays or even Sundays to make some money on the side.
Do pool technicians have to work on holidays?
Pool technicians also don’t have to work on holidays.
Instead, you can spend those days with your loved ones to make nice trips or also spend them on your favorite hobbies.
Do pool technicians have to work at nighttime?
Pool technicians don’t have to work at nighttime but rather get home from work relatively early.
In turn, they will have more than enough time to spend with their loved ones and they are also able to meet up with their favorite people after work while investment bankers or consultants often have to work long hours and don’t have this luxury.
Do you have to travel as a pool technician?
You don’t need to travel as a pool technician apart from commuting to many different clients per day while many other people who work in demanding office jobs are away for business trips quite often.
Are pool technician pensions good?
Since pool technicians make pretty poor money from their active careers, many pool guys also receive pretty poor pensions and have a hard time paying their bills once they get older and retire.
Are pool technician salaries going up?
Pool technician salaries have not been going up significantly over the past years since almost everyone can do this job and people are able to work in this field for a pretty low wage.
This trend will likely continue in the future and if you want to make good money, you should not become a pool technician but rather work in a different field instead.
Can you have a positive impact on society as a pool technician?
You will not have a big positive impact on society as a pool technician.
Even though you can make your clients happy, you will still not have the same high positive social impact as teachers or professors who can really educate many people and make the world a better place in the long run.
How long does it take to become a pool technician?
Since you don’t have to spend lots of time in college but can rather start working as a pool technician right after finishing high school, you can start making money in this field at a rather early age.
Is it difficult to become a pool technician?
Becoming a pool technician is not difficult at all since there are no high formal educational requirements you have to meet for working in this field.
Consequently, almost everyone can start a career in this industry and you don’t need any fancy formal education to do so.
Do you need to be smart to work as a pool technician?
You don’t need a high IQ for succeeding as a pool technician.
However, you should still have some technical knowledge and talent so that you can provide enough value for your clients in the long run.
Do pool technicians have a good work-life balance?
Pool technicians enjoy pretty decent work-life balance since they have free weekends and holidays and also don’t have to work at nighttime which gives them the opportunity to spend lots of time with their loved ones.
Do pool technicians have to work many extra hours?
Pool technicians don’t work much overtime.
Once their shift is over, they just finish their workday and get back to work the next morning.
How to maximize your chances of becoming a pool technician?
The more experience you get in the pool maintenance industry at a rather young age, the higher your chances of finding a job in this field.
Thus, you should work as an intern and stay in touch with your colleagues so that you already have a foot in the door and have much better chances of getting the job once you apply in an official manner after finishing high school.
Can pool technicians work part-time?
While pool technicians might also be able to work part-time in theory, most pool guys still work full-time since hourly wages in this field are pretty low and pool technicians just need to work full-time to be able to pay their bills.
Do pool technicians work indoors or outdoors?
Pool technicians work outdoors on a regular basis and if you are afraid of working outdoors during times of bad weather, you should not become a pool guy but rather go for a classical office job instead.
What does the workplace of a pool technician look like?
As a pool technician, you will work for many different clients and you will therefore change your workplace quite often.
Consequently, you should be open and flexible in this regard to stay happy with what you are doing in the long run.
Do you have to look good for working as a pool technician?
You don’t need to look good for succeeding as a pool technician.
However, you should still look groomed so that clients will not be disgusted by your appearance and will book your services again in the long run.
Is a pool technician career beneficial for your private life?
Being a pool technician is not beneficial for your private life since you will have to deal with lots of insecurity related to your work and will also not be able to make good money from what you are doing.
In turn, you may not be able to provide any luxury for your loved ones and your spouse may start cheating on you to find a better deal sooner or later.
Do you need a college degree for becoming a pool technician?
You don’t need a college degree for becoming a pool technician.
What’s much more important than looking good on paper is that you have a talent for working with your hands and that you also have some technical knowledge and experience in pool care.
Do you need to be certified to work as a pool technician?
You don’t need to get any certificate for working as a pool technician.
However, getting those certificates may still help you get some additional knowledge and may also help convince potential clients that you are a good choice.
How much does it cost to become a pool technician?
Since you don’t need to spend many years in college for becoming a pool technician, you also don’t have to spend lots of money on tuition and other expenses related to college.
In turn, you can become a pool technician at virtually no cost and can even start making money at a rather young age.
Is being a pool technician a good career?
Working as a pool technician cannot be considered a good career since you will have a hard time making good money and you will also always have to fear losing your job while many people out there may even make fun of you due to your career choice.
Is it easy to start your own business as a pool technician?
It is relatively easy to start your own business as a pool technician since you don’t have to spend lots of money on equipment or machinery but can rather trade your time for money and build your business step-by-step without having to spend lots of money upfront.
Can pool technicians teach themselves?
Pool technicians are able to teach themselves most things they need to work in this field.
In fact, there are many good free videos out there that explain everything you need to know about pool care and you just need to listen and apply this knowledge during your jobs.
Do pool technicians make good money?
Pool technicians don’t make good money at all.
In fact, many pool technicians complain about their low salaries and are barely able to pay their bills.
Is it ever too late to become a pool technician?
Since you don’t need any fancy education for becoming a pool technician, it is never too late to start a career in this field.
However, working as a pool technician can still be physically demanding and you will therefore have an easier time starting your career at a rather young age.
Do pool technicians have to quit their careers early?
Some pool technicians also have to quit their careers early since working as a pool guy can be physically demanding and some people are no longer able to stress their bodies in their 50s and have to work in a different field.
What is the hardest thing about working as a pool technician?
The hardest part about being a pool technician is that you constantly have to worry about losing your job and finding new jobs again.
You will also have to deal with lots of competition and will not make enough money to build wealth at all which can be really frustrating and demotivating in the long run.
Can you provide for your family by working as a pool technician?
It is pretty hard to provide for your family as a pool guy since you will often not be able to make good money from what you are doing and your spouse will often have to work as well to cover your expenses.
Will pool technicians suffer from old-age poverty?
Many pool technicians will also have to worry about old-age poverty since they don’t make good money during their active careers and also receive pretty poor pensions which makes it hard for them to pay their bills once they quit their careers and retire.
Can pool technicians retire early?
Most pool technicians are not able to retire early since they just don’t make enough money during their active careers and have to work until official retirement age and sometimes even longer to be able to pay their bills.
Do pool technicians get a fixed or variable salary?
Since most pool technicians work self-employed, their income greatly varies over time since it will be heavily dependent on the number and the volume of jobs you do and you should therefore save money during good times to have enough money during bad times when you don’t have enough jobs to make a living from what you are doing.
Can you get rich as a pool technician?
It is not possible to get wealthy or even rich as an employed pool technician since your salary will be far too low.
If you really want to make good money, you should start your own business or rather become a dentist or judge instead.
Do pool technicians need a second job?
Many pool technicians need a second job to pay their bills since they only receive a pretty poor hourly wage that will often not be enough to make a living from their pool technician career.
Do you get continuous training as a pool technician?
You don’t get continuous training as a pool technician.
Instead, it will be on you to hone your craft and to get really good at what you are doing so that you can provide enough value to your clients and are able to make a living in this industry in the long run.
Do you get sick pay as a pool technician?
Most pool technicians don’t get sick pay.
Thus, you should have an emergency fund for bad times when you get sick and are not able to make money so that you are still able to pay your bills and don’t get into financial trouble.
Do pool technicians have a high level of responsibility?
Pool technicians have a high level of responsibility since they often handle harmful chemicals and if they do their job wrong, pool owners may suffer from serious health problems.
Can pool technicians work abroad?
Pool technicians are needed in many countries all over the world.
However, working conditions and salaries may still be quite different from what you are used to at home and you should inform yourself in this regard to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Is it stressful to work as a pool technician?
Working as a pool technician is not that stressful.
You can just spend your workday in a rather relaxed manner without having to deal with excessive levels of time pressure.
Is it boring to work as a pool technician?
Working as a pool technician may become boring in the long run since you will do the same things over and over again and if you are a rather creative person, you may rather want to go for a different job instead of working in the same routine as a pool guy every day.
Is being a pool technician hard?
While working as a pool guy involves some physical work, you will still not have to stress your brain that much and can work in a rather relaxed manner without having to meet strict timelines as in many other jobs out there.
Are pool technicians at risk of burnout?
Since pool technicians don’t have to deal with lots of stress at work, they are also not at great risk of burnout but can rather spend their workday in a pretty relaxed atmosphere and their risk of suffering from serious mental and emotional issues related to their jobs will be rather low.
Is there a dress code for pool technicians?
There is no official dress code for pool technicians.
Instead, you can wear whatever you feel most comfortable in as long as you don’t deter your clients.
What kind of pool technicians are paid the most?
The more value you can provide to your clients and the faster you get your jobs done, the more you can make as a pool technician.
However, you will still not be able to make really good money from a pool technician career since hourly wages are simply too low.
What percentage of pool technicians are women?
Only 11% of all pool technicians are women while 89% are men.
Thus, this industry is still dominated by men even though an increasing number of women aspire to a career in this field.
Do I need a mentor to succeed as a pool technician?
You don’t need a mentor to succeed as a pool guy.
What’s much more important is that you are passionate about this kind of work and that you are also willing to work with your hands to provide enough value for your clients so that you can stay in the game in the long run.
Do pool technicians have a high life expectancy?
Pool technicians have decent life expectancy since they work in a rather safe environment and their risk of suffering from serious accidents at work will be rather low.
Do pool technicians suffer from sleeping problems?
Since pool technicians don’t have to work in the late evening or at nighttime, most of them are able to maintain a healthy sleeping pattern and don’t suffer from sleeping problems.
What states are best for working as a pool technician?
Since pool technicians make pretty poor money across states, you should choose a region where the demand for pool services is pretty high while living costs are still low enough to make a living from what you are doing.
Who do pool technicians work with?
Pool technicians work with many different clients on a regular basis.
Thus, it is crucial that you are friendly and trustworthy so that clients come back to you in the long run.
Is working as a pool technician cool?
Working as a pool guy is not considered cool by the general public.
Yet, you should not choose your job according to what’s cool but you should rather ask yourself whether it fits your personal preferences and ambitions in life or not.
Can you start a side hustle as a pool technician?
You can also start a side hustle as a pool technician since you can do many jobs in an unofficial manner after work or also start your own social media channels to grow an audience and to monetize it in the long run.
Do you have to be creative as a pool technician?
You don’t need to be overly creative as a pool technician since you will do the same things over and over again and will rather need technical knowledge instead of creativity to stay successful with what you are doing in the long run.
Do pool technicians suffer from being overweight?
Since pool technicians get lots of exercise at work, many of them burn enough calories and don’t suffer from being overweight.
How employable are pool technicians?
Since educational barriers to entry are pretty low and almost everyone can do this job, pool technicians are not that employable anymore since they have to deal with fierce competition and many jobs in this industry will also be lost in the near future.
Are pool technicians happy with their jobs?
Most pool technicians are not happy with overall working conditions since they are not able to make good money from what they are doing and also have to worry about losing their jobs on a regular basis.
Is working as a pool technician exciting?
Being a pool technician is not that exciting since you will do the same things over and over again and will also develop a certain routine pretty soon.
Can you have a positive impact on our environment as a pool technician?
You will not have a positive impact on our environment as a pool technician since you will often use harmful chemicals that may hurt our planet.
What are the pros and cons of working as a pool technician?
If you still consider becoming a pool guy or gal, you should also have a look at additional pros and cons of a pool technician career.
Sources
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1176571/swimming-pool-industry-market-size-us/
https://www.statista.com/statistics/868385/key-info-on-us-swimming-pool-construction/
Interviews and own research.
About the author
My name is Andreas and my mission is to educate people about the different career paths that are possible in our current state of the world. In my opinion, people often make the mistake to choose their profession solely based on how much money they can earn from it instead of doing what makes them really happy.
This is quite sad and I just want to give people a more objective picture of how a fulfilling career could look like. I did the same when I started working in consulting after finishing my Master’s degree in Economics. However, I’ve quit pretty soon after that since I haven’t found true meaning in my job.
Now I can do what I really love to do and I want to enable as many other people as well to go this exciting path towards happiness instead of money.
I conducted various interviews with employees to give you a good impression of what working in different fields will look like and that you can make the best possible decision regarding your future career choice.
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