Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
No formal educational credential
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers help guests move smoothly through events and venues, combining direct customer interaction with steady, predictable demand. Nationally, this occupation employs about 122,000 people, indicating a sizable workforce. Projected employment growth of 1.2% and an estimated 31,000 annual openings suggest ongoing opportunities for both new entrants and experienced workers. Typical entry does not require a formal educational credential, which can make this role accessible to students, early-career workers, and career changers. Success in this field relies on customer service, interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and physical strength and stamina, supported by adaptability and some comfort with computers and information technology. Creativity, innovation, mechanical aptitude, fine motor skills, and even science-related skills can further support performance. Overall, this role offers a way to build experience in public-facing work while developing a versatile skill set that can transfer into other service and customer-oriented occupations over time.
The national median annual salary for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers is $31,150. Within this occupation, pay varies across locations. Among top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $33,940 in Massachusetts to $41,010 in Washington, with Colorado, New York, and California falling between those figures. At the metro level, some areas show even higher pay. For example, the San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro reports a median of $44,760, while San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA lists $42,860 and New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ reports $38,310. These differences highlight that earnings can be meaningfully influenced by where you work. Job seekers interested in maximizing income potential within this career may want to pay attention to state and metro-level salary medians when evaluating opportunities or considering relocation.
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers have a national employment base of about 122,000 workers, indicating a well-established occupation. Projected employment growth of 1.2% points to a modest increase over time rather than a shrinking field. The occupation is also expected to generate about 31,000 annual openings. This combination of a large existing workforce, positive growth, and many yearly openings suggests that people entering or re-entering this occupation can expect a consistent flow of job opportunities. The volume of openings can be relevant for those looking for part-time, seasonal, or entry-level roles, as well as individuals who may move between similar service and entertainment-related jobs. For career planners, the data supports viewing this career as a stable option within customer-facing service work, with ongoing demand rather than dramatic expansion or decline.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers. At the state level, California has the highest employment among the top opportunity-score states, with 16,460 workers, a median salary of $37,870, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Washington stands out for a median salary of $41,010, the highest among these states, while Colorado reports $38,380. Massachusetts and New York offer median salaries of $33,940 and $37,110 respectively, with all listed states sharing the same projected 1.2% growth rate. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA has both the highest opportunity score (77.42) and a median salary of $44,760. The New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ metro follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27 and median pay of $38,310. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH also show strong opportunity scores, illustrating that certain metros combine higher salaries with strong overall opportunity metrics.
Ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers typically enter the field with no formal educational credential. This makes the occupation accessible to individuals who are still in school, have completed high school, or are exploring work options without pursuing formal postsecondary education. Since employers do not generally require a specific degree, skills become especially important. Key strengths for this role include customer service and interpersonal abilities, as well as clear speaking and attentive listening. Physical strength and stamina can be important, along with fine motor skills and some mechanical aptitude. Adaptability and basic comfort with computers and information technology also play a role. Skills in science, creativity, and innovation can further enhance performance and versatility on the job. For career changers or new workers, focusing on building these capabilities can help improve employability and advancement potential within this occupation and related service roles.
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