How to hire a ride operator

How to hire a ride operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step ride operator 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 operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new ride operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a ride operator do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The ride operator hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A ride operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, ride operators 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.

   This list presents ride operator salaries for various positions.

   Type of Ride Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Ride Operator		$12-21
   Cart Attendant	A cart attendant is responsible for assisting customers with carrying their items to their vehicles. Cart attendants ensure the cleanliness and orderliness of the premises, assisting with cleaning duties to avoid hazards or any accidents in the area... Show more	$11-17
   Pool Attendant	Pool attendants are tasked to observe, patrol, and enforce safety regulations as they assist pool swimmers when in danger. They are excellent in providing customer service that is consistent with the standard operating procedures and brand attributes in the hotels... Show more	$9-16

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Procedures
   • Customer Service
   • Emergency Situations
   • Guest Service
   • Safety Regulations
   • Excellent Guest
   • Safety Rules
   • Ride Operations
   • Safety Checks
   • Safety Guidelines
   • Safety Restraints
   • Safety Devices
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Greeting Guests

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate all ski-lifts on the mt., also run the cash register in the restuarant
   • Participate in life guard training sessions which include rescue operations, first aid and CPR procedure.
   • Check the quality of snow and the consistency for what are required for the trails as the machines run.
   • Inventory -Ran cash register with POS system, snack bar and lazer tag -Opening and closing duties -stock food and supplies
   • Practice and successfully attempt CPR and emergency procedures.
   • Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

   More ride operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, ride operators' average salary in florida is 46% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level ride operators earn 43% less than senior-level ride operators.
   • Certifications. A ride operator 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 operator's salary.

   Average ride operator salary

   $16.06hourly

   $33,398 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level ride operator salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average ride operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Connecticut	$41,122	$20
   2	California	$40,016	$19
   3	Washington	$39,037	$19
   4	Massachusetts	$35,073	$17
   5	New York	$34,980	$17
   6	Oklahoma	$30,562	$15
   7	New Jersey	$30,222	$15
   8	Minnesota	$29,809	$14
   9	Indiana	$29,722	$14
   10	Maryland	$28,927	$14
   11	Missouri	$28,906	$14
   12	North Carolina	$28,434	$14
   13	New Mexico	$28,272	$14
   14	Ohio	$27,864	$13
   15	Pennsylvania	$23,815	$11
   16	Texas	$23,686	$11
   17	Florida	$22,973	$11

   Average ride operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County	$37,637	$18.09
   2	Securitas AB	$33,891	$16.29	10
   3	Technology	$33,655	$16.18
   4	Adia	$32,539	$15.64
   5	Lagoon	$32,518	$15.63
   6	Skyland	$32,518	$15.63
   7	Trail Dust Town	$32,207	$15.48
   8	Memphis Zoo	$31,478	$15.13	2
   9	Pyramid Management Group	$30,730	$14.77
   10	Elior North America	$30,419	$14.62
   11	Casa de Maryland	$30,194	$14.52
   12	California's Great America	$26,591	$12.78
   13	Worlds of Fun	$26,474	$12.73
   14	Indianapolis Zoo	$25,811	$12.41
   15	Columbus Zoo and Aquarium	$25,352	$12.19
   16	Mall of America	$24,729	$11.89	1
   17	SeaWorld	$24,672	$11.86
   18	Luna Park in Coney Island	$24,596	$11.82
   19	Cedar Fair	$24,563	$11.81	1
   20	The Hershey Company	$24,533	$11.79	4

4. Writing a ride operator job description

   A ride operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a ride operator job description:

   Ride operator job description example

   Monday to Friday between 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (Closed on holidays)

   14333 Chrisman Rd Houston Tx 77039

   
   

   Job Description: Ride Quality Operator

   Location Texas

   Objective Operates an inertial profiler and grinder/grooving machine. Used to collect profile data on paving sections to determine paving ride quality and identify/work on corrective areas.

   Job Duties

   1. Start engines, move throttles, switches, and levers, and depress pedals to operate machines
   2. Collect IRI Data
   3. Signal water truck driver to position truck to facilitate discharge of slurry
   4. Take actions to avoid potential hazards and obstructions such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, and falling objects
   5. Perform maintenance work to equipment including oiling, greasing, and making necessary adjustments
   6. Comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures. Report all unsafe activities to supervisor and/or Human Resources.
   7. Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve departmental and company goals.
   8. Gain the respect of others by being fair, honest, reliable, and hard working.
   9. Other unlisted duties will be assigned
   10. Other unlisted duties will be assigned

   Qualifications

   1. Heavy Civil Construction Experience
   2. Ability to collect data and report it
   3. Ability to travel
   4. Valid Driver's License
   5. Ability to pull a trailer
   6. High School Diploma or GED is preferred but not required
   7. Ability to communicate in English via verbal and written communications
   8. Mathematical proficiency as it relates to basic geometry, algebra, and mathematics
   9. Move throughout a construction jobsite which includes minor obstacles including climbing ladders and inclines, operating heavy equipment, and lifting up to 50 pounds
   10. Heavy physical activity performing strenuous day activities of a primarily productive/technical nature
   11. Manual dexterity sufficient to reach/handle items and work with the fingers and perceives attributes of objects and materials
   12. Work outdoors with exposure to changing weather conditions such as rain, sun, snow, and wind

   The Statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

   Webber, LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Webber, LLC complies with applicable local, state and federal laws governing nondiscrimination in employment at each location the Company operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to: hiring, placement, promotion, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

   
   
   Job Posted by ApplicantPro
   

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5. Post your job

   To find the right ride operator for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with ride operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit ride operators who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting ride operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect ride operator 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new ride operator first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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.)

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How much does it cost to hire a ride operator?