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The average salary for a Carnival Worker in the United States is approximately $27,198 per year, translating to about $13 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and the specific events where workers are employed.
In some states, carnival workers earn more due to higher demand and cost of living. For instance, states like California and Texas tend to offer higher salaries compared to others. Here's a quick overview of average salaries by state:
Certain cities also provide better pay opportunities. For example, metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles and Orlando typically have higher wage levels for carnival workers. These cities host larger events and festivals that require more staff, thus increasing earning potential.
Overall, becoming a carnival worker offers not only a chance to earn a competitive salary but also a vibrant work environment filled with diverse experiences. Explore job listings in your area to find exciting opportunities!
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The average carnival worker salary in North Dakota, Vermont, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average carnival worker salary states are Georgia, Virginia, and Oklahoma.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | $37,158 | $17.86 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $34,563 | $16.62 |
| 3 | New York | $34,123 | $16.41 |
| 4 | Washington | $28,791 | $13.84 |
| 5 | Maine | $34,589 | $16.63 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $35,212 | $16.93 |
| 7 | North Dakota | $37,393 | $17.98 |
| 8 | California | $30,381 | $14.61 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $24,616 | $11.83 |
| 10 | South Dakota | $24,643 | $11.85 |
| 11 | Oregon | $27,602 | $13.27 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $30,751 | $14.78 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $27,450 | $13.20 |
| 14 | Wisconsin | $26,405 | $12.69 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $30,789 | $14.80 |
| 16 | Delaware | $26,972 | $12.97 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $27,391 | $13.17 |
| 18 | Florida | $24,125 | $11.60 |
| 19 | Arizona | $26,451 | $12.72 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $22,813 | $10.97 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $24,001 | $11.54 |
| 22 | Michigan | $24,971 | $12.01 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $24,141 | $11.61 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $24,550 | $11.80 |
| 25 | District of Columbia | $26,349 | $12.67 |
| 26 | Illinois | $25,241 | $12.14 |
| 27 | Colorado | $24,209 | $11.64 |
| 28 | Ohio | $23,559 | $11.33 |
| 29 | Nevada | $24,272 | $11.67 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $21,898 | $10.53 |
| 31 | Nebraska | $22,026 | $10.59 |
| 32 | Utah | $21,933 | $10.54 |
| 33 | Iowa | $22,736 | $10.93 |
| 34 | Texas | $22,351 | $10.75 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $21,490 | $10.33 |
| 36 | Indiana | $23,116 | $11.11 |
| 37 | Missouri | $21,947 | $10.55 |
| 38 | Arkansas | $22,358 | $10.75 |
| 39 | Idaho | $21,790 | $10.48 |
| 40 | Kansas | $22,233 | $10.69 |
| 41 | North Carolina | $21,641 | $10.40 |
| 42 | Georgia | $20,921 | $10.06 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $22,029 | $10.59 |
| 44 | Maryland | $22,464 | $10.80 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $20,499 | $9.86 |
| 46 | Alaska | $22,399 | $10.77 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $20,703 | $9.95 |
| 48 | Virginia | $20,885 | $10.04 |
| 49 | Alabama | $18,716 | $9.00 |
| 50 | Montana | $21,331 | $10.26 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $19,331 | $9.29 |
The highest-paying cities for carnival workers are Auburn, NY, Fresno, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn, NY | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| 2 | Fresno, CA | $30,466 | $14.65 |
| 3 | Phoenix, AZ | $26,448 | $12.72 |
| 4 | Cleveland, OH | $25,000 | $12.02 |
| 5 | Valparaiso, IN | $24,326 | $11.70 |
| 6 | Lakeland, FL | $24,117 | $11.59 |
| 7 | Pittsburgh, PA | $24,094 | $11.58 |
| 8 | Laredo, TX | $22,407 | $10.77 |
| 9 | Wichita, KS | $22,110 | $10.63 |
| 10 | Marrero, LA | $21,880 | $10.52 |
A carnival worker's salary ranges from $19,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $37,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 75th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| Average | $27,198 | $2,267 | $13 |
| 25th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
| 10th Percentile | $19,000 | $1,583 | $9 |
The highest paying types of carnival workers are golf caddie, ride operator, and generator worker.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recreation Attendant | $23,732 | $1,978 | $11.41 | 97,043 |
| Golf Range Attendant | $28,102 | $2,342 | $13.51 | 45,487 |
| Pool Attendant | $26,675 | $2,223 | $12.82 | 45,463 |
| Gate Attendant | $28,256 | $2,355 | $13.58 | 71,470 |
| Club Attendant | $28,132 | $2,344 | $13.52 | 72,674 |
| Ride Operator | $33,398 | $2,783 | $16.06 | 29,616 |
Top companies hiring carnival workers now:
Carnival worker salaries at Lopez and Paradise Enterprises Inc are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average carnival worker salary at companies like J & A ENTERPRISES LLC and JIMS are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lopez | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| 2 | Paradise Enterprises Inc | $25,502 | $12.26 |
| 3 | J & A ENTERPRISES LLC | $25,501 | $12.26 |
| 4 | JIMS | $24,203 | $11.64 |
| 5 | Playland Park | $23,824 | $11.45 |
| 6 | The Alamo | $23,721 | $11.40 |
The average carnival worker salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional | $31,613 | $15.20 |
| 2 | Energy | $24,907 | $11.97 |
| 3 | Hospitality | $24,803 | $11.92 |
| 4 | Media | $24,343 | $11.70 |
The average carnival worker salary has risen by $6,712 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average carnival worker earned $20,486 annually, but today, they earn $27,198 a year. That works out to a 23% change in pay for carnival workers over the last decade.
Compare carnival worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare carnival worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,200 | $13.08 | +5.6% |
| 2024 | $25,700 | $12.34 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | $24,500 | $11.76 | +5.4% |
| 2022 | $23,100 | $11.12 | +4.3% |
| 2021 | $22,100 | $10.65 | +4.4% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RLM Services LLC | Carnival Worker | Saint Henry, OH | 01/01/2025 | $25,983 |
| Duggans Concessions | Carnival Worker | Selma, CA | 01/01/2025 | $34,602 |
| Dr. Vegetable Inc. | Carnival Worker | Wanatah, IN | 01/01/2025 | $25,691 |
| Armco Inc. | Travelling Carnival Worker (Temporary) | Laredo, TX | 11/21/2024 | $24,397 |
| ARH Treats LLC | Carnival Worker | San Antonio, TX | 10/08/2024 | $25,441 |
| Trinity Concessions, LLC | Carnival Worker | Phoenix, AZ | 10/07/2024 | $25,607 |
| Lopez Concessions, LLC | Carnival Worker | Phoenix, AZ | 10/07/2024 | $25,607 |
| Dreamland Carnival Company | Carnival Worker | Billings, MT | 07/23/2024 | $41,740 |
| Dreamland Carnival Company | Carnival Worker | Billings, MT | 07/23/2024 | $41,740 |
| Ron McKinney Food Services, LLC | Carnival Worker | Hughes Springs, TX | 03/07/2024 | $22,498 |
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