Who Earns What

How much does an usher make?

US Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
$32,910

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 know
This job$32,910
Typical worker$50,980
Elementary teacher$63,970
Doctor$244,180
Cashier$32,880

If 100 people had this job

Most earn between $23,560 and $42,470
37 of 100
not many

How 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
Whole US$32,910
Washington$41,010
Colorado$38,380
District of Columbia$37,930
California$37,870
New York$37,110
Iowa$25,720
Alabama$22,360
Mississippi$21,570

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

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Who earns more?
Data table and sources
Usher pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$23,560$32,910$42,470about 122,000
States where ushers earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Washington$41,010about 4,000
Colorado$38,380about 3,000
District of Columbia$37,930about 770
California$37,870about 16,000
New York$37,110about 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

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY