A parking attendant collects fees, directs traffic, and maintains parking facilities. It is customer-facing work that you can enter with a high school diploma. Here is what the job involves, the skills it takes, and how to get in.
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Parking attendants collect parking fees from customers and issue tickets or receipts. You direct vehicles to available spaces, monitor parking areas to enforce regulations, and document transactions and violations. The work involves direct interaction with the public, so you spend time speaking with drivers, listening to questions or concerns, and maintaining a professional demeanor. You may operate parking equipment or mechanized devices, keep records of daily activity, and communicate with supervisors about lot conditions or incidents. Safety and security awareness are part of the role.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Parking Attendants earn a median of $35,150 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is steady. Employment is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as average for all occupations, with about 18,500 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Most parking attendant positions require a high school diploma or equivalent. The role falls into Job Zone 2, meaning some preparation is typical but not extensive. You can enter this field by applying directly to parking facilities, municipalities, or private parking companies. On the job, you will learn specific procedures for fee collection, vehicle direction, and lot management. Strong communication skills, the ability to stay calm under pressure, and basic math for handling cash transactions will serve you well. Some employers may provide brief training before you start.
Entry into parking attendant work is straightforward and does not require a degree. If you want to map out your first steps, understand what skills matter most, and talk through your fit with someone who knows the field, Pathly can map the parking attendant path that fits you and work through it with your counselor.
You are drawn to hands-on, practical work and enjoy interacting with people. You are reliable, detail-oriented, and comfortable with routine tasks in a structured environment.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).