How much does a usher make?
Answer: A typical usher in the United States makes $32,910 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 122,000 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
Usher 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| $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 |
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.
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 usher do?
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.
What's a typical day like?
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.
How to get this job
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.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and helping and teaching.
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.
Similar jobs
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Personal Care and 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/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