How much does a parking attendant make?
a year · about $17 an hour
A typical parking attendant in the United States makes $35,150 a year, about $17 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? Some U.S. parking attendants may jump-start a driver's stalled car—not just park it or collect a fee.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $27,040 and $44,550How do you become one?
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.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($43,180), lowest in Louisiana ($23,920).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| 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 |
Official definition: 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.
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