Parking Lot Attendant
A parking lot attendant is a professional responsible for overseeing parking facilities, ensuring the safety and security of parked vehicles, and providing customer service to patrons. Their duties often include managing parking spaces, collecting fees, and offering valet services, while also patrolling the area to prevent theft or damage. Parking attendants typically work in various environments, including multilevel garages and open lots, and must be prepared to handle different weather conditions.
This occupation appeals to a diverse range of individuals, from young workers to retirees, and often serves as a seasonal job or a temporary solution while pursuing other career ambitions. Effective communication skills are essential, as attendants frequently interact with the public, provide directions, and address customer inquiries. Although no formal education is required, developing skills in customer service, mathematics, and technology is beneficial. For those looking to advance into management roles, coursework in business or economics can enhance prospects within the parking industry.
Parking Lot Attendant
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Hospitality & Tourism, Human Services
Interests: Working with the public, customer service, being active
Earnings (Yearly Median): $46,840 annual
Employment & Outlook: -1% (Little or no change)
Overview
Sphere of Work. Parking lot attendants oversee properties and structures where people park automobiles. In addition to ensuring the relative safety and security of automobiles under their supervision, attendants are sometimes responsible for parking cars in empty spaces, performing valet services, and collecting parking fees. Often, parking lot attendants are tasked with patrolling their parking areas to prevent damage to or theft of vehicles that are parked there. Supervisory and management positions in parking lots are often held by those with years of experience at the attendant level.
Work Environment. Parking attendants work in multilevel parking garages and open-air parking lots. Although parking garages are protected from rain and snow, they are usually not heated. Parking lots are exposed to all types of weather. In inclement weather, an attendant is usually able to take shelter in a booth or small office area or under an awning when not parking cars or supervising the parking area. Both garages and lots operate year-round.
Some parking attendants are employed by organizations that offer parking services to their clientele, including restaurants, hotels, and resorts. Parking attendants spend the majority of their time at work interacting with customers.
Occupation Interest. Because of the relative ease of the work and the minimal training required, the position of parking lot attendant attracts individuals ranging from young workers to retirees. Some parking attendants view the position as a source of seasonal or short-term income, while others hold the position while looking for work in their preferred fields or while completing high school or postsecondary coursework. Regardless of age, previous work experience, or education, a parking attendant should enjoy interacting with the public and providing customer and personal service.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The day-to-day duties of parking lot attendants include accepting payment for parking spaces, issuing receipts and lot information to customers, and organizing lots. Attendants also call tow trucks if cars are parked illegally and may use surveillance cameras to monitor the security of the parked cars. Attendants working in parking garages may also be required to troubleshoot problems with computerized ticket systems and perform general cleaning and maintenance. A parking lot attendant may occasionally be required to attract business to the garage or lot by holding or placing signage in close proximity to its location.
Some parking lots and garages offer valet service to customers, and attendants working in such lots are typically required to open customers’ car doors while greeting them pleasantly. Attendants are also responsible for parking cars and retrieving them when the customers are ready to leave. Parking attendants who work large public events such as fairs, concerts, and sporting events are responsible for directing traffic into areas of lots and garages where parking spaces are available. Certain portions of lots are filled before others to ensure a smooth exit for all vehicles at the conclusion of events.
Customer interaction is a major facet of the job. Parking attendants should be able to speak clear and correct English, as they are often asked to give directions and provide information about points of interest. Familiarity with the region near the lot or garage is beneficial, as is knowledge of a second or third language to help non-English speakers.
Parking Lot Signalers (915.667-014). Parking lot signalers direct vehicle drivers to specific parking spots, using hand signals. They also lift, position, and remove barricades to open or close parking areas and signal drivers with their hands or flashlights to parking areas or spots within the parking areas at activities, such as sporting events, concerts, and expositions.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Parking lots and garages tend to be located in urban areas. Parking garages are covered and protected from rain and snow, while parking lots are exposed to the elements. Parking attendants are expected to work in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.
Human Environment. Parking lot attendants interact extensively with customers and the public. They are frequently required to greet customers and explain where to park and are sometimes asked to escort customers to their cars to ensure safety. Attendants may also be required to provide directions to customers and answer questions about local venues, events, and public transportation.
Technological Environment. Parking attendants use cash registers and occasionally operate computerized systems that control networked parking systems. In parking garages with surveillance cameras, attendants may monitor video screens to ensure the safety of customers and their vehicles.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. No formal education is required to become a parking lot attendant. However, high school students can prepare for the job with courses in basic math and computer science. Communication and problem-solving skills are important for success in customer service occupations, so English and writing courses can also be beneficial.
Postsecondary. No postsecondary education is required to become a parking lot attendant. Individuals interested in management or ownership roles in the parking industry would benefit significantly from the completion of undergraduate coursework in economics or business management.
Related Occupations
− Automotive Service Attendant
Bibliography
"Data for Occupations Not Covered in Detail: Parking Enforcement Workers." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 24 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm#Transportation%20and%20material%20moving%20occupations. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.