How much does a parking attendant make?
Answer: A typical parking attendant in the United States makes $35,150 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 138,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Parking attendant pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $27,040 | $35,150 | $44,550 | about 138,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $43,180 | about 3,000 |
| Colorado | $39,330 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $38,730 | about 1,000 |
| California | $38,060 | about 21,000 |
| Massachusetts | $37,360 | about 3,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience and skill, the employer (such as a parking company, hotel, or hospital), and location. Valet jobs may bring tips, and full-time, seasonal, or overnight schedules can change total earnings.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a parking attendant do?
Park vehicles or issue tickets for customers in a parking lot or garage. May park or tend vehicles in environments such as a car dealership or rental car facility. May collect fee.
What's a typical day like?
They greet drivers, check cars for damage, hand out tickets or numbered tags, take payment, and guide cars into spaces or park them. They also answer questions, watch the lot, tidy it, and retrieve cars when customers return.
How to get this job
Most U.S. jobs need little schooling; some ask for high school or a GED, and valet jobs may require a driver's license and an age of 18+. Employers teach parking, tickets, and payments on the job, so college or an apprenticeship isn't needed.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Some U.S. parking attendants may jump-start a driver's stalled car—not just park it or collect a fee.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Transportation and Material Moving jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/53-6021.00
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/53-6021.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes536021.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- careers-propark.icims.com/jobs/10287/parking-valet-attendant/job
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY