Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Usher
What ushers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an usher?
Event briefing. From there, the day usually includes scan tickets, guide guests, and answer questions. Evenings, weekends and event days.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an usher working full time.
- Event briefing.
- Open doors.
- Scan tickets.
- Seat late arrivals.
- Watch the section.
- Help guests exit.
- Sweep the section.
Where ushers work
Ushers work in theaters, stadiums, arenas and venues.
Hours and schedule
Evenings, weekends and event days.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Scan tickets
- Guide guests
- Answer questions
- Enforce rules
- Help with accessibility
- Assist in emergencies
- Keep areas tidy
Tools you’ll use every day
- Ticket scanners
- Flashlights
- Radios
- Seat maps
- Wheelchairs
- Signage
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- See shows and games
- Flexible part-time work
- Short training
- Fun atmosphere
What’s hard
- Low pay
- Irregular hours
- Standing
- Crowd issues
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like events
- I’m friendly
- I stay calm in crowds
- I want part-time work
- I like helping
- I want short training
Not sure? Take the free Usher fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Know emergency exits
- Watch for crowd surges
- Help guests with disabilities
- Report hazards