# How old do you have to be to work at YMCA?

You have to be at least 15 to work at YMCA. Each local YMCA is an independent organization and sets its own hiring age. State law can raise the age.

Each YMCA is an independent local association that sets its own hiring ages, so they differ by city and by job. Postings we checked hire junior lifeguards at 15 (Atlanta), lifeguards and junior camp counselors at 16, and regular camp and teen counselors at 18.

- Minimum age: 15
- Most locations: unknown
- Franchised: no
- Pay: $17.75–$19.8/hour (Assistant Lifeguard and Lifeguard, YMCA of San Diego County, 2026; each local Y sets its own pay)
- Confidence: From job postings
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## By job

- Junior Lifeguard: 15+ (YMCA of Metro Atlanta; needs lifeguard certification)
- Lifeguard / Assistant Lifeguard: 16+ (Atlanta (Lifeguard I) and San Diego (Assistant Lifeguard); San Diego's Lifeguard role is 18+)
- Junior Camp Counselor: 16+ (YMCA of Metro Atlanta)
- Camp Counselor: 18+ (YMCA of Metro Atlanta)
- Teen Counselor: 18+ (YMCA of Metro Atlanta)

## By state (youngest possible age)

| State | Age | Work permit |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15 | needed |
| Alaska | 15 | needed |
| Arizona | 15 | no |
| Arkansas | 15 | no |
| California | 15 | needed |
| Colorado | 15 | no |
| Connecticut | 16 | needed |
| Delaware | 15 | needed |
| District of Columbia | 15 | needed |
| Florida | 15 | no |
| Georgia | 15 | needed |
| Hawaii | 15 | needed |
| Idaho | 15 | no |
| Illinois | 15 | needed |
| Indiana | 15 | no |
| Iowa | 15 | no |
| Kansas | 15 | no |
| Kentucky | 15 | no |
| Louisiana | 15 | needed |
| Maine | 15 | needed |
| Maryland | 15 | needed |
| Massachusetts | 15 | needed |
| Michigan | 15 | needed |
| Minnesota | 15 | no |
| Mississippi | 15 | no |
| Missouri | 15 | needed |
| Montana | 15 | no |
| Nebraska | 15 | needed |
| Nevada | 15 | no |
| New Hampshire | 15 | needed |
| New Jersey | 15 | needed |
| New Mexico | 15 | needed |
| New York | 15 | needed |
| North Carolina | 15 | needed |
| North Dakota | 15 | needed |
| Ohio | 15 | needed |
| Oklahoma | 15 | needed |
| Oregon | 15 | no |
| Pennsylvania | 15 | needed |
| Rhode Island | 15 | needed |
| South Carolina | 15 | no |
| South Dakota | 15 | no |
| Tennessee | 15 | no |
| Texas | 15 | no |
| Utah | 15 | no |
| Vermont | 15 | no |
| Virginia | 15 | needed |
| Washington | 15 | needed |
| West Virginia | 15 | needed |
| Wisconsin | 15 | needed |
| Wyoming | 15 | no |

## Questions

**How old do you have to be to work at YMCA?**
You have to be at least 15 to work at YMCA. Each local YMCA is an independent organization and sets its own hiring age. State law can raise the age.

**Can you work at the YMCA at 15?**
At some Ys. The YMCA of Metro Atlanta has hired Junior Lifeguards at 15 (you need a lifeguard certification). Most other Y jobs we found start at 16 or 18, and it depends on your local Y.

**How old do you have to be to be a YMCA lifeguard?**
Usually 15–16, depending on the Y. You also need a current lifeguard certification; the American Red Cross requires you to be at least 15 by the last day of its lifeguard class.

**How old do you have to be to be a YMCA camp counselor?**
Often 18 for a full counselor. Some Ys hire junior camp counselors at 16 (for example, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta).

**Why do YMCA hiring ages differ?**
Every YMCA is a separate local nonprofit that sets its own rules on top of your state's child-labor laws. Check the posting for your local Y.

**How much do YMCA lifeguards make?**
In San Diego, 2026 postings paid about $17.75–$19.80 an hour. Pay varies a lot by city.

## Sources

- Junior Lifeguard — Marietta, GA (YMCA of Metro Atlanta): https://ymcaatlanta.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/YMCA-Careers/job/Marietta-GA/Junior-Lifeguard_R0011596
- Lifeguard I — Brookhaven, GA (YMCA of Metro Atlanta): https://ymcaatlanta.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/YMCA-Careers/job/Brookhaven-GA/Lifeguard-I_R0011760
- Junior Camp Counselor — Marietta, GA (YMCA of Metro Atlanta): https://ymcaatlanta.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/YMCA-Careers/job/Marietta-GA/Junior-Camp-Counselor_R0012789
- Camp Counselor — Norcross, GA (YMCA of Metro Atlanta): https://ymcaatlanta.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/YMCA-Careers/job/Norcross-GA/Camp-Counselor_R0012465
- Teen Counselor — Marietta, GA (YMCA of Metro Atlanta): https://ymcaatlanta.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/YMCA-Careers/job/Marietta-GA/Teen-Counselor_R0012122
- Assistant Lifeguard — YMCA of San Diego County: https://careers-ymcasd.icims.com/jobs/6690/assistant-lifeguard/job
- Lifeguard — YMCA of San Diego County: https://careers-ymcasd.icims.com/jobs/6694/lifeguard/job
- Lifeguard Certification — American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/lifeguarding

Page: https://hiringage.com/ymca/ — please cite with a link.