Occupation · SOC 39-3031
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
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.
Median wage
$31,150
$22,880–$40,210
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
119,210
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Social PerceptivenessSpeakingService OrientationActive ListeningCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationReading ComprehensionMonitoringCritical ThinkingActive LearningTime ManagementComplex Problem SolvingManagement of Personnel ResourcesJudgment and Decision MakingWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisOperations MonitoringTroubleshootingMathematicsOperation and ControlLearning StrategiesInstructingProgrammingOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignScienceRepairingManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityCommunications and MediaSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementComputers and ElectronicsEducation and TrainingEconomics and AccountingMathematicsAdministrativePsychologyFood ProductionTelecommunicationsPersonnel and Human ResourcesHistory and ArcheologyGeographyLaw and GovernmentFine ArtsTransportationSociology and AnthropologyProduction and ProcessingEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalPhilosophy and TheologyPhysicsForeign LanguageChemistryBiologyDesignTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Windows MobileMicrosoft WordTicket Alternative Express EntryTicket scanning software
Representative tasks
Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersAssisting and Caring for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeSelling or Influencing OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesTraining and Teaching OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationWorking with ComputersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsDeveloping and Building TeamsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoaching and Developing OthersHandling and Moving ObjectsScheduling Work and ActivitiesProcessing InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkThinking CreativelyEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Patron greetings — deliver using scripted welcoming language at the entrance of an entertainment venue under direct supervisor guidance.Admission tickets and passes — collect and hand back using basic verification steps at a ticketed event entry point with staff oversight.Ticket authenticity — identify valid versus invalid passes by checking printed color and date under close supervision at a venue gate.Seating assistance — escort patrons to assigned sections by following a seating chart with a lead usher present.Facility cleanliness — perform routine lobby sweeping and litter removal between shows following a supervisor-provided checklist.Wheelchair patrons and mobility needs — assist by directing individuals to accessible seating with guidance from a senior attendant.Emergency exit routes — recite and point out primary exit locations to patrons after completing venue orientation training.Undesirable or ticketless individuals — recognize and immediately notify a supervisor rather than acting independently at the entry point.Customer concerns — listen attentively and relay patron complaints to the appropriate staff member during a live event.Venue policies — follow posted rules and dress-code standards when communicating basic information to arriving guests.
developing
Patron greetings — deliver warm, personalized welcomes to diverse audiences at multiplex or arena venues with minimal supervision.Ticket and pass sales — process admission transactions including cash handling and membership verification at a box-office window during busy event periods.Ticket authenticity checks — apply multiple verification criteria such as barcode scanning and date validation routinely at high-traffic entry points.Seating disputes — resolve minor disagreements between patrons by calmly consulting seating charts and applying venue policy without escalating to management.Special-needs assistance — independently coordinate wheelchair transfers, hearing-loop device loans, and companion seating at accessible entertainment facilities.Emergency guidance — direct patrons through rehearsed evacuation procedures, maintaining crowd calm during drills or minor incidents at a performance hall.Lobby and restroom sanitation — complete thorough cleaning cycles between performances following health and safety standards with limited oversight.Admittance refusals — politely but firmly deny entry to individuals without valid credentials, citing specific policy while de-escalating tension at the door.Customer service issues — diagnose common patron concerns such as lost tickets or incorrect seat assignments and provide on-the-spot resolutions.Communication tools — use electronic mail software and venue operating systems to log attendance issues and communicate shift updates to team members.
proficient
Guest experience quality — sustain consistently high service standards across the full patron journey from arrival through departure at large-scale entertainment venues.Complex ticket discrepancies — investigate and resolve multi-party ticketing conflicts, including fraudulent passes, by applying venue authentication protocols autonomously.Accessibility coordination — design and implement individualized assistance plans for patrons with varied mobility or sensory needs throughout an entire event.Emergency response leadership — lead patron evacuation or shelter-in-place procedures, coordinating with security and emergency services during actual incidents.Conflict de-escalation — manage confrontational patrons or disturbances using advanced active-listening and self-control techniques without requiring management intervention.Staff scheduling support — use spreadsheet software to draft usher rotation plans and monitor coverage gaps across multiple event shifts.Facility compliance inspections — conduct pre-event walkthroughs verifying cleanliness, ADA compliance, and safety equipment readiness at an entertainment complex.Admissions data reporting — compile attendance and ticketing exception reports using word processing and office suite software for post-event management review.Patron-facing communications — craft and deliver clear announcements and safety briefings to large audiences using appropriate pacing and speech clarity.Cross-departmental coordination — liaise with box office, security, and concessions teams to ensure seamless event operations across all venue zones.
advanced
Service culture development — establish and champion patron-service standards and behavioral expectations that define the guest experience across an entire venue organization.Staff training program design — create onboarding curricula and competency assessments for new ushers and lobby attendants aligned to venue safety and service goals.Emergency preparedness strategy — develop, test, and update venue-wide emergency evacuation plans in partnership with public-safety authorities and facility management.Accessibility policy leadership — lead organizational adoption of ADA-compliant service procedures and advocate for physical and programmatic accommodations across all event types.Performance metrics oversight — establish key service indicators, analyze attendance and incident data using spreadsheet and presentation software, and report findings to executive leadership.Workforce optimization — direct multi-event staffing strategies, balancing labor budgets with coverage needs across high-capacity arenas or multi-stage festival environments.Vendor and technology integration — evaluate and implement ticketing and OCR scanning software upgrades to improve admissions accuracy and patron throughput at scale.Conflict and crisis policy — author patron conduct policies and refusal-of-admittance guidelines that protect patron safety while minimizing organizational liability.Cross-functional partnership — represent the front-of-house operations team in senior leadership planning meetings to align service delivery with programming and revenue goals.Mentorship and succession — coach developing staff and identify high-potential attendants for advancement into supervisory roles across the personal care and service organization.
Also known as
39 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Admittance AttendantAttractions AssociateConcessionistDocentDoor AttendantDoor CaptainDoor TenderDoormanDoorpersonDrive-in Theater AttendantEvent AttendantGate AttendantGate ClerkGate TenderGreeterHospitality AgentLobby AttendantLodge AttendantMuseum HostMuseum HostessOfficial GreeterProgram AttendantSpecial Event AttendantSpecial Events AttendantSpot ManSpot WorkerTheater AttendantTheater UsherTicket AttendantTicket CollectorTicket TakerUsherVisitor Service AssistantVisitor Services AssistantVisitor Services AssociateVisitor Services RepresentativeVisitor Services SpecialistVisitor Services TechnicianVolunteer Services Specialist