Types of Theme & Amusement Park Jobs

As you may know theme parks have lots of available jobs. There are opportunities available for every type of person, from entry-level cashier to roller coaster engineer. There are plenty of jobs to choose from and theme parks always need workers so the job competition isn’t too intense.

You will most likely find yourself doing jobs that you have some experience with or jobs you are enthusiastic about learning. Promotion is common, so don’t be surprised if you start out as a ticket seller, but quickly work your way up into the marketing department. If you don’t get your dream job, remember that there are big opportunities available and that everyone has to start somewhere.

If you’re starting out working at a theme park for your summer job, you may find yourself in one of the following positions:

Food and Beverage – One of the popular areas of theme parks is the dining. There is a good chance you may be waiting tables at a fancy theme-oriented restaurant or taking orders at a quick-serve cafeteria. You can plan on $8 to $10 an hour. Everyone that visits a theme park needs to eat, and that adds up to a lot of hungry mouths to feed on a daily basis.

Merchandise – Parks make a ton of money on merchandise sales. Souvenir shirts or stuffed animals are big sellers. You’ll be doing typical retail work like shelving and stocking. To promote a fun atmosphere you also may get to "play" with the cool toys to show the guests a good time. You’ll get the atmosphere, the toys, and a paycheck of about $8 an hour.

Attractions – Theme parks have some great attractions and all the guests want to participate. That means you need to be able to oversee crowd control, including dealing with angry, impatient tourists. You’ll have to go through training and pass a competency test before you can get these jobs. It will all be fun and games when you make $8 an hour to hang out around roller coasters.

Custodial – Custodial jobs may not be the job you dreamed of as a kid, but it’s a good job. You’ll be doing everything from cleaning bathrooms to fixing benches. You’ll be out in the fresh air and that means you’ll get lots of questions directed your way. You can expect to make $8 to $12 an hour.

Front Entrance/Ticketing – You better have a smile on your face for these jobs because you’ll be people’s first impression of the park. You’ll also be answering lots of questions, along with selling tickets and solving problems. The job will keep you busy for $10 to $13 an hour. It’s an area of quick promotion.

Security – Security is one of the higher paying entry-level jobs. It’s a job that keeps you on your toes. You may search for lost children, calm hysterical parents, perform first aid, secure bags, or patrol the park. It’s fun stuff and pays about $8 to $10 an hour.

Grounds Maintenance – Theme parks are decorated with beautiful shrubberies, tall trees, soft grasses, and fragrant flowers. As part of the grounds maintenance your job will consist of taking care of the grounds – watering, fertilizing, planting, pruning, pest management, and lots of other fun tasks, like getting paid $10 an hour.

Entertainment – People who come to theme parks want to be entertained. If you have experience as a dancer, storyteller, ice skater, actor, acrobat, musician, or singer, you’ll be able to audition for a role in the park’s entertainment section. You may dress as a park mascot and pose for photos all day or you may sing songs on stage in the evenings. Pay ranges from $8 to $15 an hour.


Theme parks offer a wide variety of jobs, and whatever you enjoy doing, you’ll be able to find your niche.

 

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