Ride operator vs gate attendant

The differences between ride operators and gate attendants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a ride operator has an average salary of $33,398, which is higher than the $28,256 average annual salary of a gate attendant.

The top three skills for a ride operator include safety procedures, customer service and emergency situations. The most important skills for a gate attendant are cleanliness, recordkeeping, and customer service.

Ride operator vs gate attendant overview

	Ride Operator	Gate Attendant
Yearly salary	$33,398	$28,256
Hourly rate	$16.06	$13.58
Growth rate	17%	-10%
Number of jobs	29,616	71,470
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	34	34
Years of experience	-	-

What does a ride operator do?

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. A ride operator must have a broad knowledge of the mechanical industry to control machines and perform immediate troubleshooting on emergencies.

What does a gate attendant do?

A gate attendant works at an airport and ensures that flight schedules are respected. Their duties may include signing visitors in and giving them directions. They may also be in charge of an x-ray machine, metal detector, or gate locks. In essence, their major role is to observe, report, and communicate important information to co-workers and supervisors.

Ride operator vs gate attendant salary

Ride operators and gate attendants have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Ride Operator	Gate Attendant
Average salary	$33,398	$28,256
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $44,000	Between $22,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City	Bristol, CT	Buena Park, CA
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Washington
Best paying company	Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County	New York Botanical Garden
Best paying industry	Media	Transportation

Differences between ride operator and gate attendant education

There are a few differences between a ride operator and a gate attendant in terms of educational background:

	Ride Operator	Gate Attendant
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Ride operator vs gate attendant demographics

Here are the differences between ride operators' and gate attendants' demographics:

	Ride Operator	Gate Attendant
Average age	34	34
Gender ratio	Male, 54.7% Female, 45.3%	Male, 42.2% Female, 57.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.1% Asian, 5.7% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 6.2% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between ride operator and gate attendant duties and responsibilities

Ride operator example 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.

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Gate attendant example responsibilities.

Manage a team in setting up, serving, and bartending private events.
Tend to all gatehouse and entrances.
Maintain a clean and orderly gatehouse.
Check campers into campground, sell annual and daily passes to the park.
Assist in retail sales and knowledge of POS systems, as well as inventory.
Assist in scheduling trainings with the American RedCross for CPR, a and first aid.

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Ride operator vs gate attendant skills

Common ride operator skills

Safety Procedures, 19%
Customer Service, 18%
Emergency Situations, 9%
Guest Service, 7%
Safety Regulations, 5%
Excellent Guest, 4%

Common gate attendant skills

Cleanliness, 20%
Recordkeeping, 18%
Customer Service, 12%
Data Entry, 7%
Patrol, 6%
Computer System, 6%

Ride Operator vs. similar jobs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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