Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
SOC code 39-3031 · O*NET-SOC 39-3031.00 · Little to some preparation needed
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$32,910
a year
Hourly
$15.82
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$33,080
$15.91 per hour
Middle 50%
$28,310 – $36,940
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$23,560 – $42,470
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
121,770
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $23,560
- $11.33/hr
- 25th percentile
- $28,310
- $13.61/hr
- Median percentile
- $32,910
- $15.82/hr
- 75th percentile
- $36,940
- $17.76/hr
- 90th percentile
- $42,470
- $20.42/hr
What do ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers do?
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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Operate refreshment stands during intermission or obtain refreshments for press box patrons during performances.
- Sell or collect admission tickets, passes, or facility memberships from patrons at entertainment events.
- Clean facilities.
- Provide assistance with patrons' special needs, such as helping those with wheelchairs.
- Maintain order and ensure adherence to safety rules.
- Examine tickets or passes to verify authenticity, using criteria such as color or date issued.
- Verify credentials of patrons desiring entrance into press box and permit only authorized persons to enter.
- Refuse admittance to undesirable persons or persons without tickets or passes.
How to qualify for this work
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.
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 an ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers earn?
The national median is $32,910 a year. The full range runs from $23,560 at the 10th percentile to $42,470 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers 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
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Speaking3.1/5
- Reading Comprehension2.8/5
- Critical Thinking2.8/5
- Monitoring2.8/5
- Active Learning2.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- English Language3.4/5
- Sales and Marketing2.9/5
- Mathematics2.6/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Coordination, Service Orientation, Complex Problem Solving.