Parking Enforcement Workers

SOC code 33-3041 · O*NET-SOC 33-3041.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Legal and protective services

Parking Enforcement Workers pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$46,730

a year

Hourly

$22.47

per hour

10th$35,130Median$46,73090th$75,340

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$51,190

$24.61 per hour

Middle 50%

$39,870 – $60,490

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$35,130 – $75,340

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

9,050

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $35,130; $16.89/hr
25th percentile: $39,870; $19.17/hr
Median percentile: $46,730; $22.47/hr
75th percentile: $60,490; $29.08/hr
90th percentile: $75,340; $36.22/hr

What does a parking enforcement worker do?

Patrol assigned area, such as public parking lot or city streets to issue tickets to overtime parking violators and illegally parked vehicles.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Enter and retrieve information pertaining to vehicle registration, identification, and status, using hand-held computers.
Prepare and maintain required records, including logs of parking enforcement activities, and records of contested citations.
Maintain close communications with dispatching personnel, using two-way radios or cell phones.
Patrol an assigned area by vehicle or on foot to ensure public compliance with existing parking ordinance.
Identify vehicles in violation of parking codes, checking with dispatchers when necessary to confirm identities or to determine whether vehicles need to be booted or towed.
Write warnings and citations for illegally parked vehicles.
Appear in court at hearings regarding contested traffic citations.
Maintain assigned equipment and supplies, such as hand-held citation computers, citation books, rain gear, tire-marking chalk, and street cones.

How to become a parking enforcement worker

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.

Common questions

How much does a parking enforcement worker earn?

The national median is $46,730 a year. The full range runs from $35,130 at the 10th percentile to $75,340 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a parking enforcement worker without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Speaking3.1/5
Monitoring3.1/5
Active Listening3.0/5
Critical Thinking3.0/5
Reading Comprehension2.9/5
Writing2.8/5

Knowledge areas

English Language3.8/5
Public Safety and Security3.5/5
Law and Government3.4/5
Psychology3.3/5
Customer and Personal Service3.2/5
Computers and Electronics2.8/5
Education and Training2.7/5
Administrative2.6/5

Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Time Management, Coordination, Service Orientation.