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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Parking attendants support vehicle flow and access in parking facilities and related settings. Nationally, this occupation employs about 136,000 people, indicating a sizable workforce and a range of work environments and employers. The national median annual salary is $34,600, which can vary by state and metro area. Projected employment growth of 3.0% and about 18,000 annual openings suggest a steady stream of opportunities for both new entrants and experienced workers. The role emphasizes practical, hands-on abilities combined with strong customer interaction. Key skills include physical strength and stamina, customer service, fine motor skills, mathematics, interpersonal abilities, and being detail oriented. Speaking and listening, mechanical skills, science knowledge, and writing and reading are also part of the skill profile. With no formal educational credential typically required, this career can be accessible to those looking to enter the workforce quickly or seeking a change from other service-focused roles.
Parking attendants earn a national median annual salary of $34,600, but pay levels differ by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports a median salary of $43,180 and Colorado $39,330, both above the national median. California has a median of $38,060, while Massachusetts and New York show medians of $37,360 and $35,920, respectively. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has a median salary of $45,030, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $44,480, higher than the national median. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro matches New York State’s median at $35,920, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV stands at $36,930 and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at $37,360. Overall, earnings for parking attendants show meaningful variation, with some states and metros offering noticeably higher median salaries than the national figure.
Parking attendants have national employment of about 136,000, indicating a significant number of existing positions. Projected employment growth of 3.0% signals that the occupation is expected to expand rather than contract over the projection period. Additionally, there are an estimated 18,000 annual openings. This combination of existing employment, modest projected growth, and recurring openings suggests an ongoing need for workers entering or re-entering the field, as well as opportunities for those seeking lateral moves from similar service or transportation roles. Across the highlighted states and metro areas, the projected growth rate is consistently 3.0%, showing a similar expansion pattern in those locations. For individuals considering this occupation, the data point to a labor market with continuing demand rather than one that is shrinking or static, which can support both short-term job searches and longer-term planning.
Location makes a clear difference in the career profile for parking attendants. Among states, California stands out with the highest listed employment at 21,290 and a median salary of $38,060, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. New York also has notable employment at 12,440 and a median salary of $35,920, with an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts, with employment of 3,330 and median pay of $37,360, has an opportunity score of 65.87, while Colorado and Washington show smaller employment counts (1,390 and 2,860) but higher median salaries of $39,330 and $43,180 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest opportunity score at 77.42 and a median salary of $45,030, followed closely by the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro with an opportunity score of 77.27 and large employment of 14,220. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also combine solid employment levels with competitive salaries and strong opportunity scores.
The typical education requirement for parking attendants is no formal educational credential. This makes the role accessible to individuals who have not pursued postsecondary education or formal training programs. However, successful performance still relies on a broad mix of skills. Physical strength and stamina are important, reflecting the job’s active nature. Customer service, interpersonal skills, and speaking and listening abilities support frequent interaction with the public. Fine motor skills, detail orientation, and mechanical skills are also part of the role’s competency profile. Mathematics, science, and writing and reading skills contribute to handling basic quantitative tasks, understanding instructions or procedures, and maintaining clear communication. Together, these skills indicate that, while formal education is not typically required, developing strong practical, communication, and basic academic abilities can be valuable preparation for both entry into this occupation and long-term success within it or related careers.
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