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Ride Operator salary
Average ride operator salary
$16.06
How much does a ride operator make?
The average ride operator salary in the United States is $33,398. Ride operator salaries typically range between $25,000 and $44,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for ride operators is $16.06 per hour.
Ride operator salary is impacted by location, education, and experience. Ride operators earn the highest average salary in North Dakota.
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Where can a Ride Operator earn more?
Ride Operator salary estimates from across the web
Average ride operator salary by state
Highest paying states for ride operators
Rank  | State | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $41,070 | $19.75 |
| 2 | North Dakota | $42,549 | $20.46 |
| 3 | Utah | $40,253 | $19.35 |
| 4 | Maine | $41,065 | $19.74 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $35,269 | $16.96 |
| 6 | Vermont | $40,959 | $19.69 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $41,062 | $19.74 |
| 8 | California | $38,699 | $18.61 |
| 9 | Illinois | $37,754 | $18.15 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| 11 | Idaho | $38,554 | $18.54 |
| 12 | Washington | $38,889 | $18.70 |
| 13 | West Virginia | $36,538 | $17.57 |
| 14 | Alaska | $34,987 | $16.82 |
| 15 | Oregon | $35,742 | $17.18 |
| 16 | Iowa | $31,335 | $15.06 |
| 17 | Wyoming | $33,325 | $16.02 |
| 18 | Michigan | $32,987 | $15.86 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $34,187 | $16.44 |
| 20 | Delaware | $34,221 | $16.45 |
| 21 | New York | $34,579 | $16.62 |
| 22 | Arkansas | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| 23 | Kansas | $31,286 | $15.04 |
| 24 | Kentucky | $30,909 | $14.86 |
| 25 | New Jersey | $30,396 | $14.61 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $30,099 | $14.47 |
| 27 | Indiana | $29,900 | $14.38 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $30,524 | $14.68 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $29,593 | $14.23 |
| 30 | Missouri | $28,631 | $13.76 |
| 31 | North Carolina | $28,624 | $13.76 |
| 32 | Virginia | $29,115 | $14.00 |
| 33 | Montana | $29,946 | $14.40 |
| 34 | Minnesota | $29,812 | $14.33 |
| 35 | Colorado | $29,766 | $14.31 |
| 36 | Ohio | $28,665 | $13.78 |
| 37 | Maryland | $29,045 | $13.96 |
| 38 | Hawaii | $27,799 | $13.36 |
| 39 | South Dakota | $29,241 | $14.06 |
| 40 | Nevada | $27,649 | $13.29 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $27,248 | $13.10 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $28,140 | $13.53 |
| 43 | Arizona | $27,924 | $13.43 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $26,885 | $12.93 |
| 45 | Pennsylvania | $23,628 | $11.36 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $25,978 | $12.49 |
| 47 | Georgia | $25,609 | $12.31 |
| 48 | Texas | $23,535 | $11.31 |
| 49 | Alabama | $23,472 | $11.28 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $23,991 | $11.53 |
| 51 | Florida | $22,909 | $11.01 |
Highest paying cities for ride operators
The highest-paying cities for ride operators are Bristol, CT, Vallejo, CA, and Seattle, WA.
| Rank | City | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol, CT | $41,122 | $19.77 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $40,016 | $19.24 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $39,037 | $18.77 |
| 4 | Agawam Town, MA | $35,073 | $16.86 |
| 5 | Queensbury, NY | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 6 | Oklahoma City, OK | $30,562 | $14.69 |
| 7 | Trenton, NJ | $30,222 | $14.53 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $29,809 | $14.33 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | $29,722 | $14.29 |
| 10 | Bowie, MD | $28,927 | $13.91 |
| 11 | Kansas City, MO | $28,906 | $13.90 |
| 12 | Charlotte, NC | $28,434 | $13.67 |
| 13 | Albuquerque, NM | $28,272 | $13.59 |
| 14 | Mason, OH | $27,864 | $13.40 |
| 15 | Allentown, PA | $23,815 | $11.45 |
| 16 | Grapevine, TX | $23,686 | $11.39 |
| 17 | Tampa, FL | $22,973 | $11.04 |
Ride Operator salary details
A ride operator's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a ride operator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $33,398 | $2,783 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
Highest paying ride operator jobs
The highest paying types of ride operators are operator, golf caddie, and ski lift operator.
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Monthly Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cart Attendant | $28,866 | $2,405 | $13.88 | 49,045 |
| Pool Attendant | $26,675 | $2,223 | $12.82 | 45,463 |
| Club Attendant | $28,132 | $2,344 | $13.52 | 72,674 |
| Recreation Attendant | $23,732 | $1,978 | $11.41 | 97,043 |
| Golf Range Attendant | $28,102 | $2,342 | $13.51 | 45,487 |
| Gate Attendant | $28,256 | $2,355 | $13.58 | 71,470 |
Top companies hiring ride operators now:
Which companies pay ride operators the most?
Ride operator salaries at Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County and Securitas AB are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average ride operator salary at companies like Matrix Technologies and Adia are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County | $37,637 | $18.09 |
| 2 | Securitas AB | $33,891 | $16.29 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 17 | SeaWorld | $24,672 | $11.86 |
| 18 | Luna Park in Coney Island | $24,596 | $11.82 |
| 19 | Cedar Fair | $24,563 | $11.81 |
| 20 | The Hershey Company | $24,533 | $11.79 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Ride Operator salary trends
The average ride operator salary has risen by $8,242 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average ride operator earned $25,156 annually, but today, they earn $33,398 a year. That works out to a 23% change in pay for ride operators over the last decade.
Compare ride operator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average ride operator salary over time
Compare ride operator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
- National Average
- Columbus, OH
Ride Operator salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,400 | $16.06 | +5.6% |
| 2024 | $31,500 | $15.16 | +4.7% |
| 2023 | $30,000 | $14.44 | +5.4% |
| 2022 | $28,400 | $13.66 | +4.3% |
| 2021 | $27,200 | $13.07 | +4.4% |
Recently added ride operator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date Added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California's Great America | Foreperson, Ride Electrical | Santa Clara, CA | 12/16/2024 | $125,220 |
| Cartoon Network Hotel | Boomers Vista Ride Operator | Vista, CA | 12/16/2024 | $33,392 |
| Six Flags Fiesta Texas | Ride Operator | San Antonio, TX | 12/11/2024 | $27,131 |
| Six Flags | Ride Operator . | Santa Clarita, CA | 12/11/2024 | $35,479 |
| Miindia | Rides ARE Available | Farmington, NM | 12/11/2024 | $20,870 |
| Landry's | Ride Operator | Galveston, TX | 12/11/2024 | $29,218 |
| Parques Reunidos | Boomers Vista Ride Operator | Vista, CA | 12/11/2024 | $33,392 |
| Bonbonland | Boomers Palm Springs-Ride Operator | Cathedral City, CA | 12/10/2024 | $33,392 |
| Parquewarner | Boomers Vista Ride Operator | Vista, CA | 12/10/2024 | $33,392 |
| Dutch Wonderland | Boomers Vista Ride Operator | Vista, CA | 12/04/2024 | $33,392 |
Ride Operator salary FAQs
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