jobfacts

Leisure and theme park attendants

SOC 2020 9267

Leisure and theme park attendants monitor the operation of amusement arcades, check tickets of entry to theatres and cinemas and show people to their seats, operate rides at funfairs and theme parks, entertain and look after guests at holiday camps and supervise museums and art galleries.

Also calledCinema or theatre attendantUsherFront of house staffMuseum attendantVisitor experience assistantMuseum assistantand 76 more titles
Typical full-time pay£22,3002025 Provisional
People in the job46,000across the UK
Demand for workersCritical
New adverts a month1,900↓ 5.6%on last year · 99th of 412

Pay

ONS · ASHE 2025
What full-time leisure and theme park attendants earn, 2025
£22,300 typical£15,200lowest 20%£16,70025%n/ptop 10%
n/p: top 10% not published by ONS
Show as table
Lowest 10% earn less thanNot published
Lowest 20% earn less than£15,200
25%£16,700
Median£22,300
75%Not published
Top 20% earn more thanNot published
Top 10% earn more thanNot published
Typical pay by regionUK median £22,300
London!£29,300
Scotland!£26,400
South East!£22,900
East Midlands!£22,700
South West!£22,000
West Midlands!£16,300
North EastNot published by ONS–
North WestNot published by ONS–
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS–
East of EnglandNot published by ONS–
WalesNot published by ONS–
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
UK median, £22,300
London£29,300 (small sample)
Scotland£26,400 (small sample)
South East£22,900 (small sample)
East Midlands£22,700 (small sample)
South West£22,000 (small sample)
West Midlands£16,300 (small sample)
North EastNot published by ONS
North WestNot published by ONS
Yorkshire and The HumberNot published by ONS
East of EnglandNot published by ONS
WalesNot published by ONS
Typical pay over 3 years
  • 2023 £17,900
  • 2024 £22,400
  • 2025 Provisional£22,300
↑ 25% since 2023Provisional figures are revised when ONS publishes the next year’s survey.

Jobs and demand

ONS · Textkernel adverts · DfE

About 1,900 jobs for leisure and theme park attendants are advertised each month. The Department for Education rates demand for workers as critical.

New job adverts a month, Jan 2017 to Aug 2026
New advertsMonth not published by ONS (3 in all)
Show as table
Aug 20262,013
Jul 2026Not published
Jun 2026Not published
May 20262,002
Apr 20261,802
Mar 2026Not published
Feb 20261,608
Jan 20261,709
Dec 2025772
Nov 20252,112
Oct 20252,175
Sept 20252,560
Aug 20252,093
Jul 20251,940
Jun 20252,238
May 20252,404
Apr 20251,969
Mar 20252,059
Feb 20251,871
Jan 20251,771
Dec 20241,055
Nov 20241,808
Oct 20242,403
Sept 20242,374
Aug 20242,454
Jul 20242,314
Jun 20242,188
May 20242,330
Apr 20242,309
Mar 20241,852
Feb 20241,942
Jan 20241,903
Dec 20231,047
Nov 20231,527
Oct 20231,914
Sept 20231,949
Aug 20232,440
Jul 20232,120
Jun 20233,074
May 20233,298
Apr 20232,748
Mar 20232,867
Feb 20232,528
Jan 20232,840
Dec 20221,978
Nov 20222,805
Oct 20222,732
Sept 20222,573
Aug 20222,716
Jul 20222,657
Jun 20222,778
May 20223,108
Apr 20223,228
Mar 20223,654
Feb 20222,592
Jan 20222,944
Dec 20212,235
Nov 20212,726
Oct 20213,228
Sept 20212,780
Aug 20212,458
Jul 20212,506
Jun 20212,298
May 20212,066
Apr 20211,476
Mar 20211,103
Feb 2021287
Jan 2021350
Dec 2020604
Nov 2020580
Oct 2020714
Sept 2020858
Aug 2020654
Jul 2020471
Jun 2020501
May 2020509
Apr 2020338
Mar 20201,090
Feb 20201,919
Jan 20201,655
Dec 20191,130
Nov 20191,718
Oct 20191,875
Sept 20191,744
Aug 20191,718
Jul 20191,434
Jun 20191,535
May 20191,575
Apr 20191,292
Mar 20191,371
Feb 2019935
Jan 20191,159
Dec 2018854
Nov 20181,386
Oct 20182,058
Sept 20182,497
Aug 20181,881
Jul 20182,199
Jun 20181,274
May 20181,768
Apr 20182,139
Mar 20181,463
Feb 20181,516
Jan 20181,389
Dec 20171,219
Nov 20171,281
Oct 20171,295
Sept 20171,262
Aug 20171,285
Jul 20173,714
Jun 20171,282
May 20171,079
Apr 20171,183
Mar 20171,308
Feb 20171,600
Jan 2017526
Is there a shortage of leisure and theme park attendants?
Critical

The Department for Education rates demand as not high, elevated or critical, using five indicators. This is its 2025 assessment; in 2024 it was not high.

  • Visas grantedUsual
  • Online job advertsWell above usual
  • Wage growthAbove usual
  • Pay against similar jobsUsual
  • Hours workedWell above usual
Note: uncertain in multiple indicators: change in hourly wage, visa density.
Vacancies hard to fill because of skills
44%against 27% for all jobs
DfE Employer Skills Survey 2024.
Where the most jobs are advertisedadverts a quarter
London596
Somerset80
Glasgow City70
City of Edinburgh68
Bristol, City of68
Leeds67
Liverpool66
Cheshire West and Chester65
Manchester63
Birmingham57
London is published as one area. Averages leave out quarters ONS withheld.
Where leisure and theme park attendants are most concentratedShare of local job adverts, compared with the UK.

Recruitment from abroad. Fewer than 10 sponsored work visas were granted for this job from July 2025 to June 2026. Home Office

Who does it

ONS · Annual Population Survey · April 2025 to March 2026
Age of leisure and theme park attendants
52%!
23%!
5.7%!
6.4%!
6.3%!
7.1%!
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
16–2452% (small sample)
25–3423% (small sample)
35–445.7% (small sample)
45–546.4% (small sample)
55–646.3% (small sample)
65+7.1% (small sample)
Highest qualification
Degree or equivalent30%
Higher education below degree!5.5%
A levels or equivalent25%
GCSEs or equivalent!27%
Other qualifications!2.4%
No qualifications!9.3%
!Small sample: treat with caution
Show as table
Degree or equivalent30%
Higher education below degree5.5% (small sample)
A levels or equivalent25%
GCSEs or equivalent27% (small sample)
Other qualifications2.4% (small sample)
No qualifications9.3% (small sample)

Main employers: other amusement and recreation activities (17%), operation of sports facilities (15%), motion picture projection activities (9.6%), activities of amusement parks and theme parks (6.2%).

How to get in

Hold a degree
30%
as their highest qualification
Apprenticeships
None
none leads directly into this work

Routes in

Cinema or theatre attendant

You can get into this job through:

Apprenticeship

You might be able to apply for a Customer Service Practitioner Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Volunteering

You can sometimes find voluntary work with community theatres or smaller independent cinemas. Follow them on social media and look out for local announcements.

Apply directly

You can apply directly to vacancies advertised by theatres and cinemas for front of house staff. It could give you an advantage to have experience working with the public, such as in retail or hospitality, though this is not essential.

Good customer service skills and the ability to do different tasks will be valued by employers.

Registration and professional bodies

Career tips

An interest in film, theatre or the arts will be helpful.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for cinema or theatre attendant. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Museum attendant

You can get into this job through:

Apprenticeship

You could apply for a place on an apprenticeship, depending on the type of work you want to do. Options include:

  • Customer Service Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Collections Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
  • Cultural Learning and Participation Officer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Entry requirements

Employers will set their own entry requirements.

Volunteering

Volunteering in a museum, gallery or heritage centre will give you get a better understanding of the roles, and a chance to make contacts who might be able to help you find a paid position.

You can search for volunteering opportunities through:

  • the Museums Association
  • The National Council for Voluntary Organisations
  • Do IT

Apply directly

You can apply to vacancies directly. You'll usually need a good general standard of education, including English and maths.

There is a lot of competition for jobs and you may find some museums and galleries ask for a certain level of qualification, like A levels or equivalent.

You can improve your chances when looking for work if you have:

  • experience in customer care or building security
  • a keen interest in museums and their services
  • volunteering experience in a museum, gallery or heritage attraction

What you’ll need

  • pass enhanced background checks

Registration and professional bodies

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the join the Museums Association for your professional development and to make contacts in the heritage industry.

Further information

You can learn more about working in museums from the Museums Association.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for museum attendant. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Roadie

You can get into this job through:

College

There is no set entry route to become a roadie but you can get some useful skills by doing a college course, such as:

  • sound engineering
  • music technology
  • digital media
  • T Level in Media, Broadcast and Production

After completing a course, you could look for a trainee job with an events or equipment hire company.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Creative Industries Production Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, or an Audio Visual Technician Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship.

These can take 2 years to complete and combine workplace training with study.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Other ways in

Volunteering

People often start by working for free for local bands. This can help you to make contacts that may eventually lead to paid jobs. To get relevant experience you could also:

  • work backstage in college or amateur theatre productions
  • do casual work at local concert venues, gigs or festivals
  • work for equipment hire and supply companies
Apply directly

You may be able to apply directly if you have experience in:

  • electrical installation or electronics
  • stagehand work
  • theatre lighting
  • sound production
  • music technology
Other routes

You may be able to do short courses with private training providers that cover:

  • rigging
  • health and safety
  • lighting installation
  • working at heights
  • operating lifting equipment
  • pyrotechnics

What you’ll need

  • be over 18 years of age
  • be able to cope with working at height

It would be helpful to have a driving licence. You may have an advantage if you have a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) licence or Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) licence, which would allow you to drive tour buses and lorries. Fork lift truck training and experience could also be useful.

Registration and professional bodies

Registration
  • you'll need to register for the National Rigging Certificate, which is a requirement for anyone working in rigging at height in the events industry
Career tips

Persistence, determination and a love of live music and events is really important. Go to lots of gigs and get to know bands. You'll need to show them that you have great teamwork skills and the ability to adapt quickly to changing situations.

Routes in are from the National Careers Service job profile for roadie. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The work

ONS · ESCO · O*NET

Typical tasks

  • checks tickets of people entering cinemas, theatres and sporting events, and directs people to their seats
  • provides information and monitors exhibition spaces in museums and art galleries
  • operates rides and supervises stalls at fairgrounds and amusement parks
  • issues change at amusement arcades, monitors the operation of arcade machines and empties coins from machines
  • welcomes holidaymakers, provides information about holiday camp, organises and participates in entertainment and activities for guests

Skills

  • maintain customer service
  • communicate with customers
  • greet guests
  • manage lost and found articles
  • handle linen in stock
  • handle surveillance equipment
  • manage emergency evacuation plans
  • announce amusement park attractions
  • assist amusement park visitors
  • clean amusement park facilities
  • direct amusement park clients
  • hang advertising posters
  • maintain cleaning equipment
  • monitor amusement park safety

Knowledge

  • fire safety regulations
  • amusement park emergency procedures
  • cleaning techniques

Suits people who like

  • Organising and following procedures
  • Practical, hands-on work

Outlook

DfE · Skills Imperative 2035
Broader groupThese projections are for elementary administration and service occupations, a group of 26 jobs that includes leisure and theme park attendants.
Change in jobs, 2020 to 2035↓ 1.5%about 48,000 fewer jobs
Workers needed by 20351.5 millionincluding people replacing those who retire or leave

Sources

Pay
ONS, Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 provisional
People in the job, who does it
ONS, Annual Population Survey, April 2025 to March 2026
Job adverts
ONS, online job adverts (Textkernel), to Aug 2026
Demand, skill shortages
Department for Education and Skills England, Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey
Outlook
The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE
Routes in
National Careers Service job profiles
Apprenticeships, qualifications
Skills England occupational maps
Skills, interests
ESCO classification of the European Commission; O*NET data, U.S. Department of Labor (CC BY 4.0, modified)
Visas
Home Office, immigration system statistics

Figures as of 10 October 2026.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Occupations in demand and the Employer Skills Survey: Department for Education and Skills England. Immigration system statistics: Home Office. Contains public sector information from the National Careers Service licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

© Skills England 2025. This information is licensed under the Open Government Licence https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Source: The Skills Imperative 2035 (2024), NFER/Nuffield/DfE/IER/CE.

This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission.

This service includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This service has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. CC BY 4.0 licence.

jobfacts is independent. It is not part of, affiliated with or endorsed by the Office for National Statistics, the Department for Education, Skills England, the National Careers Service, the Home Office, the European Commission or the U.S. Department of Labor.