What Does a Parking Attendant Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

Parking Attendant

Also called: Valet · Parking Lot Attendant · Garage Attendant · Parking Booth Cashier

What parking attendants do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated October 18, 2026By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team

What does a parking attendant do?

Parking attendants park vehicles or issue tickets for customers in parking lots or garages, and may collect fees. The median pay is $35,150 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow +2.0% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$35,150
$16.90/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+2.0%
2025–35, slower than average
Openings per year
16,400
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
BLS classification
Time to train
A few days on the job
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
139,200
Employment, 2025

What parking attendants do

Parking attendants help drivers park. They valet cars at hotels, restaurants and hospitals, direct traffic in lots, issue tickets, collect payments and keep lots safe and organized.

No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects about average growth.

Typical duties

Park vehicles
Retrieve vehicles
Issue tickets
Collect fees
Direct traffic
Keep lots organized
Help customers

Work environment and schedule

Attendants work outdoors at lots, garages, hotels and venues.

Schedule: Evenings and weekends are common.

A day in the life

4:00 PMSet up the valet stand.
5:00 PMPark dinner guests’ cars.
7:00 PMRetrieve cars.
8:00 PMOrganize the lot.

See a full day in the life of a parking attendant →

Parking Attendant salary

Half of parking attendants earned more than $35,150 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $27,040 for the lowest 10% to $44,550 for the top 10%.

$27,04010th$35,150Median$44,55090th

Full parking attendant pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a parking attendant

Get a driver’s license
Keep a clean record
Apply to a valet or parking company
Learn procedures
Advance

No formal educational credential is required.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a parking attendant →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Safe driving
Key management
Cash handling
Traffic direction
Customer service

People skills

Friendliness
Speed
Trustworthiness
Calm

All parking attendant skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Tips
Short training
Flexible hours
Active work

Cons

Weather
Low base pay
Late nights
Liability for damage

Certifications and licenses

Valid driver’s license: Required.
Clean driving record: Required.
Manual transmission skills: Helpful.
Customer service training: Helpful.

Career path

Attendant: Entry.
Lead Valet: Lead.
Lot Manager: Run lot.
Parking Operations Manager: Lead.

Learn the job before day one

Our Parking Attendant training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as valet a car without damage and manage valet keys securely, safety and how to land your first job.

View Parking Attendant training Is this career right for me?

Gas Station Attendant

Pump fuel, check fluids and do quick vehicle and boat services.

$35,670
A few days on the job

Vehicle Cleaner

Wash and detail cars, trucks, buses and equipment.

$35,830
A few days on the job

Shuttle Driver

Drive passengers in shuttles, vans and limousines.

$37,290
A few days to weeks

Concierge

Help guests and residents get reservations, tickets, tips and anything they need.

$38,950
1–6 months on the job

Compare: Parking Attendant vs. Gas Station Attendant · Parking Attendant vs. Vehicle Cleaner · Parking Attendant vs. Shuttle Driver · Parking Attendant vs. Concierge

Parking Attendant FAQ

Do valets get tips?

Often.

Do I need experience?

No.

Is the job growing?

BLS projects about average growth.

How much does a parking attendant make?

The median annual wage for parking attendants was $35,150 ($16.90 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $27,040 and the highest 10% earned more than $44,550.

How long does it take to become a parking attendant?

Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.

Do you need a degree to be a parking attendant?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-6021 (Parking attendants).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Parking attendants (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.