Hiring guide · Transportation & Logistics
How to Hire a Parking Attendant
Pay benchmarks, qualifications, sourcing, screening and interview questions for hiring parking attendants, plus a plan to get them productive fast.
Write a clear job description, offer competitive pay (the national median is $35,150), recruit through CDL schools and trucking academies, verify Valid driver’s license where applicable, run a structured interview with a practical skills check, and onboard with a 30-60-90 day plan.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
The hiring market for parking attendants
There are about 139,200 parking attendants employed in the U.S., with roughly 16,400 openings each year. Employment is projected to change +2.0% from 2025–35 (slower than average). Most openings come from replacing workers who retire or change careers, so a steady pipeline matters.
Pay benchmarks for offers
| Candidate level | Annual | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th–25th percentile) | $27,040–$29,960 | $13.00–$14.40 |
| Typical / mid-career (median) | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| Top of market (90th percentile) | $44,550 | $21.42 |
*Annual ÷ 2,080 hours except median. National BLS data; adjust for your state and metro area. Many states and cities now require pay ranges in job postings.
What to look for
Must-haves
- No formal educational credential (typical entry level)
- Safe driving
- Friendliness
Nice-to-haves
- Valid driver’s license
- Clean driving record
- Manual transmission skills
- Experience with key boxes
Where to find parking attendants
- CDL schools and trucking academies
- Local workforce centers and staffing partners
- Military transition programs
- Referral bonuses for current drivers and associates
- Job postings that use common alternate titles: Valet, Parking Lot Attendant, Garage Attendant, Parking Booth Cashier
Screening checklist
- CDL, endorsements and DOT medical card for drivers
- Motor vehicle record and FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse query for CDL drivers
- Forklift operator training and evaluation, which OSHA requires employers to provide
- Pre-employment drug screening according to policy and law
Follow federal, state and local rules on background checks, drug testing and fair-chance hiring, and apply screening consistently to all candidates for the role.
Interview questions to ask
Ask every candidate the same questions and score answers on a structured scorecard.
1. “Do you have a clean driving record?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
2. “Can you drive stick?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
3. “How do you treat guests?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
4. “Can you work nights?”
What a strong answer includes: Answer.
5. “How do you handle a damage complaint?”
What a strong answer includes: Explain.
Practical skills checks
A short demonstration beats a perfect resume. Ask candidates to talk you through, or perform under supervision, tasks such as:
- Valet a Car Without Damage (see the steps)
- Manage Valet Keys Securely (see the steps)
- Direct Traffic in an Event Lot (see the steps)
Red flags
- Can’t describe basic safety practices for the role
- Vague or inconsistent work history with no explanation
- Unfamiliar with core terms such as Valet, Claim ticket, Key board
- Negative talk about every past employer or coworker
Onboard for retention
The first 90 days decide whether a new hire stays. Use our Parking Attendant 30-60-90 day onboarding plan and give every new hire the same foundation with Parking Attendant training. Show them the path forward: Attendant → Lead Valet → Lot Manager → Parking Operations Manager.
Hiring parking attendants: FAQ
How much should I pay a parking attendant?
The U.S. median wage for parking attendants is $35,150 per year ($16.90/hour), according to BLS May 2025 data. Entry-level offers often fall near the 25th percentile ($29,960), while experienced hires command closer to the 75th percentile ($37,670). Adjust for your local market.
What qualifications should a parking attendant have?
BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education. Look for Valid driver’s license and Clean driving record where relevant, plus skills such as safe driving, key management, and cash handling.
How long does it take to train a new parking attendant?
Becoming qualified typically takes A few days on the job. After hire, plan for a structured 30-60-90 day onboarding period; BLS classifies on-the-job training for this occupation as “short-term on-the-job training.”