Parking Attendants
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.
Also called: Attendant, Auto Hiker, Auto Lot Attendant (Automotive Lot Attendant), Auto Parker, Automobile Relocation Engineer, Automotive Porter (Auto Porter)
Median pay
$35,150
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$27,040 – $44,550
People employed
137,880
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 3.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 4.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 5.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
Parking Attendants pay by state
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What parking attendants do
- 01Take numbered tags from customers, locate vehicles, and deliver vehicles, or provide customers with instructions for locating vehicles.
- 02Inspect vehicles to detect any damage.
- 03Greet customers and open their car doors.
- 04Issue ticket stubs or place numbered tags on windshields, log tags or attach tag to customers' keys, and give customers matching tags for locating parked vehicles.
- 05Perform cash handling tasks, such as making change, balancing and recording cash drawer, or distributing tips.
- 06Patrol parking areas to prevent vehicle damage and vehicle or property thefts.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Monitoring
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Transportation
- Public Safety and Security
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from parking attendants
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops93% · +5%
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs87% · +6%
- Counter and Rental Clerks85% · +17%
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity85% · +68%
- Parking Enforcement Workers84% · +33%
Change into parking attendants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops93% · $37,080
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs87% · $37,290
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants83% · $32,150
- Driver/Sales Workers83% · $38,770
- Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants82% · $36,300