Employers

The Department of Labor reports that there are approximately 151,000 parking lot attendants employed in the United States. Parking attendants work for various companies and in a variety of settings, including airports, colleges and universities, event centers, hospitals and health care facilities, municipal and government agencies, transportation and transit, and commercial operators.

Starting Out

Many parking attendants get their start through part-time and entry-level jobs. They receive training while on the job, which may last for several weeks or several months. Some find work by contacting companies directly. They find jobs through the career centers of professional associations, such as the National Parking Association, https://careers.weareparking.org. Others search for jobs posted on Web sites such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and SimplyHired, to name just a few.

Parking attendants that work for large companies have more opportunities to advance than those who work for small parking garages or lots. Those that have three or more years of experience may become supervisors or managers, responsible for hiring and overseeing the work of parking attendants, cashiers, booth workers, and related workers. They may get certified to improve their skills and job prospects. Those that have a high school diploma may go back to school for a bachelor's degree in business management or a related topic. Parking attendant managers may become owners of parking companies. Another way to advance is by participating in associations for parking professionals.

Hone your knowledge about the parking profession by reading articles in the magazine Parking Today, https://www.parkingtoday.com.

Get a part-time or summer job in a parking garage or lot to gain firsthand experience in the profession. Search for jobs on Web sites such as Glassdoor, Indeed, and SimplyHired.

Conduct an informational interview with a parking attendant to find out what they do in their work and what the pros and cons of the job are. 

Attend conferences and events for parking professionals to meet people working in the field and learn more about the work. Find events listed on professional associations' Web sites, such as the National Parking Association, https://weareparking.org/page/NPA_Events.