How to hire a ride attendant

How to hire a ride attendant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step ride attendant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a ride attendant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new ride attendant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post a ride attendant job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a ride attendant, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A ride attendant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, ride attendants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of ride attendant salaries for various roles:

   Type of Ride Attendant	Description	Hourly rate
   Ride Attendant		$9-16
   Ride Operator	A ride operator is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the people on motorized riding vehicles. Ride operators provide safety instructions before, during, and after the ride, regular inspection of machines, operating ride controls, assisting the riders with their inquiries, evaluating the riders on the eligibility for some specific passages, and following the restricted quantity riders... Show more	$12-21
   Recreation Attendant	Recreation attendants assist instructors and visitors with various recreational activities. The basic duties of the position involve monitoring the front desk of recreation centers and usage of its facilities, making for a vital component of its operations... Show more	$6-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Safety Procedures
   • CPR
   • Safety Guidelines
   • Guest Service
   • Safety Rules
   • Safety Regulations
   • Emergency Situations
   • Safety Standards
   • Guest Safety
   • Control Panels
   • Excellent Guest
   • POS
   • Safety Checks

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage VIP's with personal requirements and assist in their room set up and hospitality experience.
   • Maintain cleanliness of recreation facility and leasing offices.
   • Maintain cleanliness and order to facility; assist residents with information about programs and facilities
   • Examine injure persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.
   • Assist the lifeguard with daily instruction.
   • Examine injure persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.

   More ride attendant duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your ride attendant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A ride attendant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, ride attendants' average salary in alabama is 46% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level ride attendants earn 41% less than senior-level ride attendants.
   • Certifications. A ride attendant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a ride attendant's salary.

   Average ride attendant salary

   $12.91hourly

   $26,856 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level ride attendant salary

   $20,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average ride attendant salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$37,503	$18
   2	Massachusetts	$33,984	$16
   3	New Jersey	$30,798	$15
   4	Colorado	$29,094	$14
   5	Arizona	$27,021	$13
   6	Illinois	$24,243	$12
   7	Georgia	$23,892	$11
   8	Texas	$21,924	$11
   9	South Carolina	$20,385	$10

   Average ride attendant salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Helen Woodward Animal Center	$30,416	$14.62	1
   2	Jake's Finer Foods	$30,234	$14.54
   3	Skyline	$27,325	$13.14
   4	Accesso	$27,222	$13.09
   5	Rink Management Services	$26,849	$12.91
   6	Resort	$26,733	$12.85
   7	Adia	$26,617	$12.80
   8	South Suburban Parks and Recreation	$25,873	$12.44
   9	Six Flags	$25,569	$12.29	34
   10	The Hershey Company	$23,970	$11.52

4. Writing a ride attendant job description

   A good ride attendant job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a ride attendant job description:

   Ride attendant job description example

   Ready for a job that will throw you for a loop? Drop into our ride operation team and twist your way to success. Whether you're launching coasters or safely loading them, you'll be the one to make the thrills happen!
   
   What does Rapid Hire mean? The Rapid Hiring Process is designed to get you through the hiring process in a safe and efficient manner! Applications include interview style questions to allow us to get to know you, and determine whether you would be a good fit for Team Six. Job offers will be determined based on the answers you provide!
   As a Rides Team Member at the Thrill Capital of New England...
   
   Ride Attendants (16 and 17 year Olds): start at $14.25/hour
   
   What You Will Be Doing:
   
   + Provide guests with a safe and enjoyable ride experience
   
   + Entertain guests and calm their nerves as they board our world-class thrill machines
   
   + Push buttons and pull switches to launch attractions through the course
   
   + Make sure seat belts are tight, loose items are secure, and lap bars are locked to keep guests safe
   
   + Enforce rider restrictions and measure for height requirements
   
   + Assist guests in and out of ride vehicles and cycle through the line efficiently and cautiously
   
   + Keep ride patios and midways clean and looking great
   
   + Act as a first responder to ride emergencies and respond appropriately
   
   How You Will Do It:
   
   + Ability to work in an environment as fast-paced as our coasters
   
   + After passing ride certification tests with 100% accuracy
   
   + Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety
   
   + Friendly, outgoing personality inviting guests to your boarding station
   
   + Positive attitude to make guests excited about their ride
   
   + Must react well in stressful and emergency situations
   
   + Taking direction from managers and supervisors
   
   What You Will Need:
   
   + Must be 16 years or older
   
   + Able to meet the physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, including walking long distances, standing for long periods of time, lifting, working at heights, etc.
   
   + Excellent verbal communication skills; Ability to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
   
   + Able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, nights, and holidays
   
   What's in it for you?
   
   + Free admission for you and a friends to EVERY Six Flags park
   
   + Exclusive Rides parties and events for employees
   
   + Scholarship Opportunities
   
   + Professional Development
   
   + Complimentary tickets for friends and family
   
   + In-Park discounts and more!
   
   Note: This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. Team Members may perform other related duties as required, meeting the on-going needs of the company.
   
   Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world's largest regional theme park company with 26 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For more than 58 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. With a culture built on safety, service, fun and friendliness, integrity, innovation, and results orientation, our mission at Six Flags New England is to create fun and thrills for all ages.
   
   Six Flags New England is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports a Drug Free Workplace
   
   If you are able to answer "YES" to all of the following questions, please continue the application process by clicking "Apply"
   
   + Can you provide legal documentation establishing your identity and eligibility to be legally employed in the United States?
   
   + Are you able to perform the essential functions of the job for which you are applying with or without reasonable accommodation?
   
   + Within the last 90 days, can you state that you have not used illegal or social drugs (excluding marijuana), such as MDMA (Molly), cocaine and crystal methamphetamine?
   
   + I am willing to agree that future text messages relating to Six Flags, Inc., including company news, job posting application status updates, and other information, may be sent on behalf of Six Flags, Inc. to the cell phone number I provide.
   
   RAPID HIRE
   
   RidesTeam
   
   Fun summer, job, cash, money, student, friends, exciting work, thrilling, work, easy, lit ,retirement, retiree, kids, 16 year old, 17 year old, teenager, college student, seasonal, part-time, part time, flexible, rewarding, excitement, fast paced, crew member, team member, rides

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right ride attendant for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your ride attendant job on Zippia to find and recruit ride attendant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit ride attendants, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new ride attendant

   Once you've decided on a perfect ride attendant candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new ride attendant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a ride attendant?