Aircraft Service Attendants
Service aircraft with fuel. May de-ice aircraft, refill water and cooling agents, empty sewage tanks, service air and oxygen systems, or clean and polish exterior.
Also called: Aircraft Cleaner, Aircraft Deicer, Aircraft Detailer, Aircraft Fueler, Aircraft Refueler, Aircraft Technical Cleaner
Median pay
$40,450
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$33,830 – $57,610
People employed
31,300
Holland code
RCE
Realistic · Conventional · Enterprising
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Are you comfortable following clear instructions?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK repeating the same tasks most of the day?
- 4.Are you happy working mostly on your own, with little contact with others?
- 5.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 6.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 7.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 8.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
The hard parts
- Work outdoors in all weather
- Tight deadlines are common
- Mistakes can have serious consequences
Aircraft Service Attendants pay by state
Annual median pay by state (46 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What aircraft service attendants do
- 01Apply de-icing fluid to aircraft from baskets lifted by truck-mounted cranes.
- 02Tow aircraft to gates or hangars using tugs, tractors, or other vehicles.
- 03Refuel aircraft using hoses connected to fuel trucks.
- 04Guide aircraft to designated areas using hand signals, batons, or other methods.
- 05Radio to flight dispatchers or other personnel to discuss incoming or outgoing aircraft.
- 06Complete forms describing tasks completed.
Skills that matter most
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Transportation
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cautiousness
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a high school diploma (O*NET Job Zone 2).
- Related work experience: none.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from aircraft service attendants
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment83% · −11%
- Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers81% · +70%
- Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers80% · +50%
- Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders80% · +46%
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers80% · +22%
Change into aircraft service attendants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Forest and Conservation Workers79% · $43,680
- Light Truck Drivers79% · $44,860
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand77% · $40,240
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs75% · $37,290
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment74% · $35,830