Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
Service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats, and other automotive or marine vehicles with fuel, lubricants, and accessories. Collect payment for services and supplies. May lubricate vehicle, change motor oil, refill antifreeze, or replace lights or other accessories, such as windshield wiper blades or fan belts. May repair or replace tires.
Also called: Attendant, Auto Garage Attendant, Auto Self Service Station Attendant, Auto Service Station Attendant, Auto Servicer, Automobile Self-Serve Service Station Attendant
Median pay
$35,670
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$28,630 – $46,060
People employed
102,010
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.Do you work well under tight deadlines?
- 2.Are you OK with physical risk, such as hazardous equipment or conditions, with proper training?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
- 4.Do you enjoy serving customers or the public?
- 5.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 6.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 7.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Long hours on your feet
- Work outdoors in all weather
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (50 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants salary in every state →
What automotive and watercraft service attendants do
- 01Collect cash payments from customers, and make change or charge purchases to customers' credit cards, providing customers with receipts.
- 02Check tire pressure and levels of fuel, motor oil, transmission, radiator, battery, or other fluids, adding air or fluids as required.
- 03Prepare daily reports of fuel, oil, and accessory sales.
- 04Perform minor repairs, such as adjusting brakes, replacing spark plugs, or changing engine oil or filters.
- 05Clean windshields.
- 06Clean parking areas, offices, restrooms, or equipment, and remove trash.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
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 automotive and watercraft service attendants
- Home Appliance Repairers85% · +43%
- Tire Repairers and Changers83% · +6%
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment80% · 0%
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers77% · +73%
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas76% · +32%
Change into automotive and watercraft service attendants
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Tire Repairers and Changers83% · $37,710
- Parts Salespersons70% · $38,630
- Bicycle Repairers69% · $42,780
- Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators62% · $40,610