Parking Attendant

Your Fit

Income

$34K

Preparation

Some

Growth

1.5%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is a Parking Attendant?

A Parking Attendant is responsible for managing vehicle parking areas, including issuing tickets, collecting fees, and directing vehicles to available spaces. They often provide customer service, such as answering questions and helping with luggage or directions.

Sample job titles:

Parking Attendant, Parking Lot Attendant, Valet Attendant, Valet Parker

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Parking Attendant.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does a Parking Attendant earn

Income data is from Employment and Social Development Canada's 2024 wage tables. The closest match for this career in Canada’s occupational classification system is Parking Attendant.

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$31K per year	$31K per year	$34K per year	$40K per year	$52K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $31K below the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does a Parking Attendant do?

Work environment

Parking Attendants work in a variety of settings, including parking lots, garages, airports, hotels, and entertainment venues. The job typically involves outdoor work, often requiring exposure to various weather conditions. Shifts may include nights, weekends, and holidays, depending on the location.

Quick task list

Directs vehicles to parking spaces and manages parking areas.
Issues tickets and collects parking fees.
Monitors parking areas for safety and security.
Assists customers with inquiries or helps with their vehicles.
Maintains cleanliness and order in parking areas.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Valet Parking Attendant: Specializing in valet services, parking and retrieving vehicles for customers.
Airport Parking Attendant: Managing parking at airport facilities, often dealing with high-volume traffic.
Event Parking Coordinator: Focusing on managing parking during events, requiring crowd control skills.
Hotel Parking Attendant: Offering parking services in hotel settings, often with a focus on customer service.
Parking Enforcement Officer: Enforcing parking regulations and issuing citations in regulated areas.

Description

Parking Attendants play a vital role in the smooth operation of parking facilities. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that customers find parking with ease and that the parking area remains organized and efficient. This role requires a good understanding of the parking facility's layout and the ability to quickly direct traffic to available spaces.

Customer service is a significant part of a Parking Attendant's job. They often interact with customers by answering questions, providing directions, and sometimes assisting with luggage or vehicle problems. In roles like valet parking, attendants are trusted with handling customers' vehicles, requiring careful driving skills and responsibility.

The job can be physically demanding, requiring attendants to be on their feet for extended periods and sometimes working in uncomfortable weather conditions. It also requires vigilance to maintain the safety and security of the parking area, monitoring for any suspicious activity or safety hazards.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Providing helpful service and interacting with various people.
The physical activity and dynamic nature of the job.
Opportunities to develop customer service and communication skills.

You might make a good Parking Attendant if you are...

Good at customer service and enjoy interacting with people.
Able to handle physical tasks and stand for extended periods.
An attentive and responsible driver (for valet services).
Organized and able to handle busy environments efficiently.
Vigilant and mindful of safety and security.

Pros:

Opportunities for tips in addition to regular wages (especially in valet parking).
Interaction with a variety of people in different settings.
Active job that keeps you moving.

Cons:

Working in all types of weather conditions.
The pressure of managing high-volume traffic, especially during events.
Physical demands, including standing for long hours and some heavy lifting.

How to become a Parking Attendant

Typical education

Generally, a high school diploma or equivalent is sufficient for this role. On-the-job training is commonly provided, and no advanced schooling is required, although customer service experience can be beneficial.

High school preparation

Courses:

Physical education for stamina and physical fitness.
Mathematics for handling cash transactions.
Automotive classes, if available, for basic knowledge of vehicle operations.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Customer service or hospitality clubs.
Part-time jobs in customer service to develop interpersonal skills.
Volunteering at local events for experience in crowd management.

Preparation after high school

Short-term training programs in customer service or hospitality.
On-the-job training for specific parking management systems.
Certification in first aid and CPR can be beneficial for some roles.

More resources

National Parking Association (NPA) - Offers resources and training for parking professionals.
International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) - Provides information on parking and mobility industry trends and practices.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - For guidelines on workplace safety relevant to parking attendants.

Similar careers

Similarity is based on what people in the careers do, what they know, and what they are called. The process of establishing similarity lists is described in this white paper.