How much does a usher make?
The median usher in the United States earns $32,910 per year, about $15.82 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all ushers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 39-3031.
Usher salary range
Pay for ushers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $23,560 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $42,470. The average (mean) wage of $33,080 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23,560 | $11.33 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $28,310 | $13.61 | |
| Median (50th) | $32,910 | $15.82 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $36,940 | $17.76 | |
| 90th percentile | $42,470 | $20.42 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers (SOC 39-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Usher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Ushers earn the most in Washington at $41,010 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $21,570. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $41,010 | 4,070 |
| Colorado | $38,380 | 2,960 |
| District of Columbia | $37,930 | 770 |
| California | $37,870 | 16,460 |
| New York | $37,110 | 6,910 |
| New Jersey | $35,990 | 3,030 |
| Maine | $35,850 | 400 |
| Connecticut | $34,940 | 1,130 |
| Alaska | $34,680 | 180 |
| Illinois | $34,560 | 5,160 |
| Montana | $34,420 | N/A |
| Oregon | $34,110 | 1,100 |
| Rhode Island | $34,040 | 340 |
| Maryland | $34,020 | 1,770 |
| New Hampshire | $33,970 | 190 |
| Massachusetts | $33,940 | 2,270 |
| Minnesota | $33,480 | 1,880 |
| Arizona | $32,510 | 3,540 |
| Missouri | $32,350 | 3,010 |
| Delaware | $31,200 | 200 |
| Georgia | $30,820 | 2,960 |
| Hawaii | $30,640 | 540 |
| Tennessee | $30,550 | 2,380 |
| Michigan | $30,530 | 3,170 |
| North Carolina | $30,260 | 5,390 |
| Nevada | $30,110 | 3,210 |
| South Dakota | $29,430 | 320 |
| Idaho | $29,360 | 700 |
| Florida | $29,130 | 9,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $29,130 | 4,330 |
| Wisconsin | $28,780 | 2,100 |
| Virginia | $28,580 | 3,130 |
| Ohio | $28,540 | 3,730 |
| Nebraska | $28,260 | 510 |
| New Mexico | $28,230 | 570 |
| Arkansas | $28,050 | 340 |
| North Dakota | $27,840 | 200 |
| Wyoming | $27,800 | 120 |
| Louisiana | $27,750 | 870 |
| Indiana | $27,440 | 1,930 |
| Kansas | $26,690 | 490 |
| Utah | $26,650 | 1,340 |
| Texas | $26,610 | 12,270 |
| South Carolina | $26,490 | 1,300 |
| Oklahoma | $26,260 | 1,450 |
| Kentucky | $25,930 | 1,110 |
| Iowa | $25,720 | 750 |
| West Virginia | $23,400 | 300 |
| Alabama | $22,360 | 770 |
| Mississippi | $21,570 | 610 |
State median wages for ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers (SOC 39-3031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for ushers
The BLS projects employment of ushers to hold roughly steady from 2025 to 2035. That is little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 124,500 jobs in 2025 moving toward 125,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 27,300 openings a year for ushers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an usher
The typical entry-level education for ushers is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an usher earns
Employer, clientele, region, and in many cases tips shape pay. Established professionals in affluent, high cost areas earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $41,010) and the lowest (Mississippi, $21,570) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 121,770 people work as ushers in the United States. At $32,910 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Usher salary FAQ
How much does an usher make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an usher is $15.82. The middle half of ushers earn between $13.61 and $17.76 per hour.
What is the highest usher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of ushers earn more than $42,470 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an usher make a year?
The median annual salary for an usher is $32,910. The average (mean) wage of $33,080 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an usher a well paid job?
At $32,910 a year, an usher earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 121,770 people work as ushers in the United States.
Which state pays ushers the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for ushers at $41,010 a year. Colorado ($38,380) and District of Columbia ($37,930) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an usher a good career?
Employment of ushers is projected to hold roughly steady 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, little or no change, compared with 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 27,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an usher?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for ushers as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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