25 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually start by checking in at the office, getting radios or keys, and reviewing that day’s event or lot plan. If there’s an event, you help prepare the lot: place signs, cones, and set up payment equipment like POS terminals or SMS Valet systems.
During the shift you greet drivers, open doors, park cars, accept payments, issue receipts, and monitor the lot with surveillance cameras. Toward the end you tidy the lot, balance the cash drawer, record tips, and report any vehicle damage or hazards to a supervisor.
You’ll commonly use computerized parking equipment and payment processing terminals to accept credit cards and issue receipts. Employers often run CorePark Valet or SMS Valet for mobile check-in and retrieval of vehicles.
For paperwork and schedules you’ll use Microsoft Outlook for email, Excel for shift or cash records, and Word for incident reports. You may also use onboard cameras or networked parking systems to police lanes or check cameras.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for 2025, there were 137,880 people employed as parking attendants. The median pay was $35,150 per year, the lowest tenth earned $27,040, and the top tenth earned $44,550.
Pay varies by city, tips, and employer. Hotels and busy event venues usually pay more and generate larger tips than small lots.
Most employers provide on-the-job training covering customer service, cash handling, and the specific systems you’ll use (CorePark Valet, POS terminals, SMS Valet). You’ll also learn safety procedures for moving cars and using onboard cameras.
Useful things to study beforehand: basic cash-handling math, how to use Excel for simple logs, and mobile payment apps. A defensive driving course helps, and if you’ll ticket or fine violators, learn the local parking rules your employer enforces.
Valets work for private businesses (hotels, restaurants, event lots) and move customers’ cars, accept payments, and provide service. They use systems like CorePark Valet and SMS Valet and handle tips and receipts.
Parking enforcement officers are usually city employees who patrol public streets, issue tickets or fines, use onboard computers and cameras to police bus lanes, and enforce laws. Enforcement officers focus on violations; valets focus on customer service and lot management.
Yes, but use them carefully. AI can draft incident reports, summarize weekly meeting notes, or help create shift schedules from Excel rosters. Always check AI drafts against facts: dates, vehicle descriptions, cash totals, and local rules.
Do not use AI to generate legally binding notices or to replace secured systems like payment processors. Never input sensitive personal data (full license plates, credit-card numbers) into public AI tools.
Customer service under pressure. You’ll greet customers, open doors, resolve complaints, and explain lot rules while handling cash and busy events. Good manners and clear, calm speech keep things moving.
Second to that is attention to detail: recording payments and tips accurately in Excel, inspecting vehicles for damage, and reporting hazards or violations so you don’t lose money or create safety problems.