Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Personal Care and Service · SOC 39-3031 · O*NET 39-3031.00
Assist patrons at entertainment events by performing duties, such as collecting admission tickets and passes from patrons, assisting in finding seats, searching for lost articles, and helping patrons locate such facilities as restrooms and telephones.
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers fall under the Personal Care and Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers earn a median salary of $32,910 per year, ranking in the top 99% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +0.9% job growth through 2035, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers earn?
The median annual wage for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers is $32,910. That puts ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers at #818 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $23,560 |
| 25th percentile | $28,310 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $32,910 |
| 75th percentile | $36,940 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $42,470 |
| Median hourly wage | $15.82/hr |
Is ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers is +0.9%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 124K positions in 2024 to 125K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.
What do ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Provide assistance with patrons' special needs, such as helping those with wheelchairs.
- 2.Sell or collect admission tickets, passes, or facility memberships from patrons at entertainment events.
- 3.Assist patrons by giving directions to points in or outside of the facility or providing information about local attractions.
- 4.Guide patrons to exits or provide other instructions or assistance in case of emergency.
- 5.Maintain order and ensure adherence to safety rules.
- 6.Greet patrons attending entertainment events.
- 7.Clean facilities.
- 8.Examine tickets or passes to verify authenticity, using criteria such as color or date issued.
Top skills for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket taker?
Many ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers enter the field with a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, though employers increasingly favor candidates with certifications or some postsecondary coursework. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers
What is the median salary for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers?
The median annual salary for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers is $32,910 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers a growing career?
BLS projects +0.9% growth for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers from 2025 through 2035, which is flat growth projected to grow slower than the US average.
What education does my child need to become ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket taker?
The typical entry path requires a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, certifications, or postsecondary credentials, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers?
Related occupations within the Personal Care and Service category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 release.