How much does an usher make?
a year · about $16 an hour
A typical usher in the United States makes $32,910 a year, about $16 an hour, below a typical US worker ($50,980) (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Before a show, an usher greets guests, checks tickets, and points them toward seats and restrooms. During the event, they answer questions, help with seating problems or access needs, and guide people to exits in an emergency.
Did you know? Before cell phones, some U.S. movie ushers had to find audience members in the theater when an urgent phone call came for them.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $23,560 and $42,470How do you become one?
In the U.S., a college degree is not required, and some theater chains accept applicants from age 16. New hires learn ticket checking, guest service, and safety procedures through short on-the-job training.
School needed: High school plus some training
Good for people who like keeping things organized and helping and teaching
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience and skills, the employer and venue, local demand, and extra duties. Many usher schedules are seasonal or irregular, so the number of shifts can also change total earnings.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($41,010), lowest in Mississippi ($21,570).
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $23,560 | $32,910 | $42,470 | about 122,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $41,010 | about 4,000 |
| Colorado | $38,380 | about 3,000 |
| District of Columbia | $37,930 | about 770 |
| California | $37,870 | about 16,000 |
| New York | $37,110 | about 7,000 |
Official definition: Assist patrons at entertainment events by performing duties, such as collecting admission tickets and passes from patrons, assisting in finding seats, searching for lost articles, and helping patrons locate such facilities as restrooms and telephones.
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/39-3031.00
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- careers.cinemark.com/careers/theatre-team
- historictheatres.org/gone-but-not-forgotten-things-we-no-longer-see-in-movie-the
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY