How much does a parking officer make?
Answer: A typical parking officer in the United States makes $46,730 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 9,000 people work in this job. About the same as 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 officer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,130 | $46,730 | $75,340 | about 9,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $62,280 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $47,590 | about 730 |
| Florida | $46,160 | about 710 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,770 | about 660 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, useful skills or certificates, and the kind of employer. Location and jobs with extra duties or responsibility can matter too. Hours count: full-time workers may earn more overall than part-time workers.
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 officer do?
Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or city streets to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked vehicles.
What's a typical day like?
They patrol streets on foot or in a vehicle, checking plates, signs and time limits with a handheld computer and radio. They write warnings or tickets, answer drivers, and report problems or arrange tows.
How to get this job
In the U.S., finish high school or earn a GED (often around age 18), then apply; many cities ask for a driver's license. Hiring may include a test or background check, and new officers learn local rules and ticketing on the job.
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?
A parking officer may do more than write tickets: O*NET says the job can include helping drivers with flat tires, locked-in keys, or a dead battery.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Protective Service 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/summary/33-3041.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/skills/zone/33-3041.00
- www.governmentjobs.com/careers/columbusoh/jobs/newprint/4322845
- www.rollacity.org/job_detail_T7_R79.php
- www.governmentjobs.com/careers/everettwa/jobs/newprint/3109288
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY