The city and its largest municipal employees union have reached a new deal to bump pay for lifeguards this summer. 

First-year and second-year city lifeguards will earn around $21.26 per hour under an agreement reached with District Council 37, the Department of Parks and Recreation said in a news release Tuesday.

That figure marks an increase from the nearly $19.50 an hour pay rate DC37 and the city initially agreed upon last month.

Lifeguards who work through mid-August will also qualify for a $1,000 bonus as part of the agreement, the department said.

The announcement comes amid a national lifeguard shortage, which has been driven in part by low wages. It forced the city to close some pools, cut hours at others and shut down some swim instruction programs last summer.

The city will continue to offer mini-pool specific certification for lifeguards who only work at mini-pools in an effort to make it easier for New Yorkers to become lifeguards, the release said.

“The wellbeing of our swimmers is our number one priority, and lifeguards are essential to creating safe environments that all New Yorkers can enjoy,” Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue said in a statement. “As we continue to build our lifeguard corps, we’re committed to supporting these critical staff who put their own safety at risk to save lives and make summer happen for millions of New Yorkers.”   

The city is also urging lifeguards who worked last summer to get recertified with the NYC Parks Lifeguard School to work again this year.