Warmer weather and sunshine are finally back after the never-ending winter. Are you ready for summer? You might be thinking about how to make some extra cash while soaking up the sun. Look no further! Here’s a list of the top 10 highest paying summer jobs.
Watersports instructor
Average salary: £33,777
If you’re looking for a job that screams summer vibes, consider becoming a watersports instructor. It offers a decent salary and very often, you might get to live in a beach resort for free. Imagine waking up to the sound of crashing waves.
On top of running lessons on how to surf, kayak, windsurf or paddleboard, you’ll get involved in planning the class schedule, organising social events and briefings, and assisting with guests’ schedules on and off the water.
You’ll need to obtain qualifications for your chosen watersports. One good option is the watersport instructor training courses from the Royal Yachting Association. A first aid certificate is also mandatory. On top of certifications, personality matters. Employers are looking for friendly, outgoing, energetic instructors. Be sure to smile a lot during your interviews!
Summer school teacher
Average salary: £33,563
If you’re already a certified teacher, this could be a great opportunity to make some extra money during your summer break. Don’t be fooled by the summer haze or the smaller class sizes. Teaching summer school can be stressful because you need to cram several months’ worth of content into a few weeks. That said, it’s also a nice opportunity if you want to test out a new teaching method or classroom exercises.
Surf coach
Average salary: £30,735
If you’re a surfer, why not consider sharing the thrill of riding the waves with others? As a surf coach, you get to meet people from all walks of life. You’ll interact with enthusiastic beginners, seasonal surfers who need a refresher, and adventurous people just looking to try something new. It’s a fantastic way to make new friends.
To become a teacher, look at the International Surf Association certification. It’s the most widely accepted surf instructor qualification, and ISA Level 1 is the minimum requirement and industry standard to work as a surf coach.
After completing the course, you’ll still need to gain 20 hours of surf coach shadowing experience. You will be assessed by your proficiency in paddling, duck diving or turtle rolling, wave negotiation, getting back to shore safely and under control, and more.
Lighthouse keeper
Average salary: £29,329
If you’re looking for a more low-key summer job, consider becoming a lighthouse keeper. Your main tasks could include tending and caring for a lighthouse and making sure the light and fog signals are in perfect working condition.
This job may not be for everyone as lighthouse keepers generally need to live close to the lighthouse, which usually means in remote or even desolate areas. If you’re someone who enjoys solitude and doesn’t mind spending their days without any human interaction, this could be a great opportunity to earn some extra cash.
Tour guide
Average salary: £28,634
July and August are the peak season for tourism, not only because they coincide with school holidays but because July is the warmest month in the UK. This means tour guides are in high demand during summer. Effective tour guides are superb storytellers and entertainers. They also have strong communication and interpersonal skills, as they need to build a relationship with tourists in a short time and potentially they might need to deal with difficult people. The bright side is you usually get free meals and free tickets to top-notch attractions and shows. Make sure to wear some comfortable walking shoes. You’ll be on your feet all day.
Beach cleaner
Average salary: £28,229
Beaches are probably the nicest place to sweep with the breathtaking scenery and gentle sea breeze. Even better, beach cleaners are more lucrative than street cleaners, who earn £23,958 on average. Beach cleaning can still be physically demanding, as it involves a lot of litter picking and rubbish collection. Be sure to put on sunscreen and wear sunglasses. Don’t forget you are also protecting marine habitats and wildlife by keeping debris and plastic pollution out of the ocean!
Swimming coach
Average salary: £28,085
As swimming pools and beaches reopen during the summer, swimming coach is another popular summer job. Swimming is an essential life skill. It’s almost impossible to avoid water in anyone’s lifetime. Teaching others how to swim is very rewarding as it can increase their chance to save their own lives. A swimming class usually lasts 45 min to an hour per session, and you’ll help kids and adults learn how to swim and improve their technique.
You can complete Level 1 and Level 2 teaching qualifications awarded by Swim England or the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) to become a swimming coach.
Camp manager
Average salary: £28,068
The best months to go camping in the UK are typically between May and September, as the weather is warmer and more pleasant for outdoor activities. If getting paid for spending time in the wild sounds good to you, try applying for camp manager roles! You’ll be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a campsite, including basic repairs, maintaining camp facilities and equipment, and making sure all safeguarding policies are adhered to. Depending on the size of the campsite, you might be required to lead a small team of camping assistants or volunteers. Fill your summer with s’mores and bonfire nights!
Hair removal practitioner
Average salary: £26,240
Tank tops and swimsuit season has arrived, which also means it’s time to remove unwanted hair. Many go for waxing or laser treatments as the hair doesn’t grow back as fast as other home kits, and beauticians like hair removal practitioners are therefore much needed. You will be responsible for running the consultations and treatments, maintaining client records, and upselling other beauty treatments.
Ice cream kiosk assistant
Average salary: £24,631
Working in an ice cream shop basically means you get to try all the ice cream flavours and also eat as much ice cream as you can possibly fit into your stomach. What’s more, you get to bring a smile to others! This job may not pay as much as other jobs on this list, but it’s definitely a fun and easy way to earn some extra cash. Don’t worry about the calorie intake. Your biceps will be hurting from scooping the ice creams!
Feeling inspired? We’ve got more than 14,000 summer jobs available for anyone who would spend their work days under the sun. Explore summer jobs here.
Read more: The 20 top paying part-time roles