How Much Does a Valet Make?
The average Valet salary in the United States is $32,700 base plus tips per year or $15.72 base plus tips per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
While some Valets earn only $2,580 a year (10th percentile), others earn as much as $38,760 a year (90th percentile).
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the chart to see detailed data.
Being in the 90th percentile means you earn more than 90% of all the Valets in the U.S. Meanwhile, being in the 10th percentile means you earn less than 90% of the group.
Valet Salary by Year
The chart below shows the growth of Valet salaries from 2019 to 2023.
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
This chart is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the chart to see detailed data.
How Much Does a Valet Make Hourly?
The average monthly salary for Valets in the U.S. is $2,725 base plus tips.
How Much Does a Valet Make Weekly?
The average weekly salary for Valets in the U.S. is $628.85 base plus tips.
Valet Salary by State
The map below shows Valet salaries nationwide. You can use it to determine what states pay the most competitive wages to Valets. Moreover, knowing the average wage for your state can help you negotiate your salary more effectively.
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
This map is interactive. Hover your mouse over different parts of the map to see detailed data.
Valets in Illinois ($38,530), Washington ($36,910) and California ($35,900) earn the highest average salaries. Meanwhile, those in Mississippi ($25,650), Kansas ($25,320) and Louisiana ($24,430) tend to earn the lowest.
| State | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| Illinois | $38,530 |
| Washington | $36,910 |
| California | $35,900 |
| New York | $35,450 |
| Maine | $34,840 |
| District of Columbia | $34,500 |
| Massachusetts | $33,760 |
| Colorado | $33,560 |
| Alaska | $32,570 |
| Oregon | $32,260 |
| Connecticut | $32,180 |
| Rhode Island | $32,130 |
| New Jersey | $31,810 |
| Minnesota | $31,750 |
| Wyoming | $31,450 |
| Tennessee | $31,180 |
| Oklahoma | $30,860 |
| Vermont | $30,770 |
| Utah | $30,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $30,620 |
| Maryland | $30,300 |
| Arizona | $30,270 |
| New Hampshire | $30,250 |
| Alabama | $30,060 |
| New Mexico | $30,000 |
| Wisconsin | $29,880 |
| Delaware | $29,810 |
| Nebraska | $29,590 |
| Idaho | $29,520 |
| Hawaii | $28,950 |
| Michigan | $28,770 |
| North Carolina | $28,660 |
| Missouri | $28,560 |
| Virginia | $28,540 |
| Kentucky | $28,470 |
| Montana | $28,350 |
| Iowa | $28,340 |
| South Dakota | $28,100 |
| Ohio | $28,020 |
| Arkansas | $27,810 |
| Georgia | $27,810 |
| North Dakota | $27,610 |
| Florida | $27,230 |
| Nevada | $26,980 |
| Texas | $26,940 |
| Indiana | $26,550 |
| South Carolina | $26,100 |
| West Virginia | $25,730 |
| Mississippi | $25,650 |
| Kansas | $25,320 |
| Louisiana | $24,430 |
Valet Salary in Major US Cities
Out of the four cities listed below, Chicago pays Valets the most (39,010), followed by Los Angeles, New York City, and Miami.
Annual mean wage $28,660 # of employees 7,010
Annual mean wage $36,460 # of employees 12,070
Annual mean wage $39,010 # of employees 1,970
Annual mean wage $37,210 # of employees 11,140
[Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Factors Affecting a Valet’s Pay
A number of factors other than just location affect the average pay for Valets in the U.S. These include:
Company size
Large companies usually offer higher wages and better benefits packages for Valets than small companies.
Establishment type
Valets who provide their services at luxury hotels, high-end restaurants or casinos will earn more than Valets working at small, family-owned restaurants or event venues. This is because high-end businesses have larger profit margins, allowing them to pay their staff more.
Experience level
Valets with previous experience in the industry are likely to be faster, more efficient and overall better at providing excellent customer service. This will, in many cases, lead to a higher starting pay.
Tipping culture
Valets who work in areas with a strong tipping culture can earn substantial amounts of money in tips. Moreover, they can expect generous tips in luxury establishments that cater to high-end clientele.
Shift availability
Valets who are able to work overnight, weekend and holiday shifts may be offered a higher hourly wage, as well as have more opportunities to collect tips.
How To Estimate Your Take-Home Pay as a Valet
If you work as a Valet in the U.S. use our Paycheck Calculator to see what the take-home pay is in your state. Whether you’re paid on an hourly or fixed salary basis, our calculator will help you accurately assess your earnings.
Total Tax
Net pay
Disclaimer: Please note that this paycheck calculator is designed to provide an estimate and should not be considered as professional tax advice. The actual withholding amounts and taxes owed may vary depending on individual circumstances and other factors. For accurate and personalized tax advice, we recommend consulting with a tax professional.
Salary Negotiation Tips for Valets
Negotiating salary is pretty stressful, but it’s an essential part of the job search process. Here are some tips to help you prepare for salary negotiation:
- Know your worth: Before entering negotiations, research the salary rates for Valet positions in your area. Also, check how the pay varies in different types of establishments.
- Highlight your skills and experience: Mention relevant experience and skills, especially driving and customer service skills. Don’t forget to bring up any relevant qualifications or certifications you possess.
- Don’t focus on just money: Besides the base salary, consider discussing other benefits such as healthcare coverage, retirement funds, meal discounts or vacation and sick days. These perks are often negotiable and can significantly raise the value of your overall compensation package.
- Be confident and professional: Clearly explain why you want a higher salary and why you deserve it. Project confidence in your abilities while remaining respectful and open to compromise.
Beyond Pay: Perks & Benefits for Valets
Apart from salary, Valets often enjoy many other perks and benefits. These include:
- Flexible hours
- Free meals
- Free uniforms
- Training programs
- Paid time off
- Health, vision and dental insurance
- 401(k) and 401(k) matching
- Opportunities for advancement
How Much Do Similar Careers to a Valet Get Paid?
Valets earn more than Hosts and Hostesses but less than Housekeepers and Porters.
| Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Host/Hostess | |
| Porter | |
| Housekeeper |
Valet Salary FAQs
Yes, there is potential for salary and professional growth in Valet roles over time. With experience and great performance, Valets can get salary raises or progress to higher-ranking roles such as Valet Team Lead, Valet Operations Manager or Parking Manager.
No, most Valet companies do not take a cut of the tips. However, some of them may have a tip pool system where Valets’ tips are distributed among the staff, including Porters and Housekeepers.
Make sure to inquire about the tipping policy during the interview process, so you get a better sense of how much extra income you can earn through tips.
Some Valets, especially those that work with luxury establishments or companies, may be offered a commission on top of their base salary. This commission could be determined by the number of cars valeted or the overall customer satisfaction ratings.
Valet Salary Data Methodology
OysterLink prioritizes transparency in salary information. We combine the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data with estimates from established job search sites to deliver the most current insights. Learn more about our methodology.
