Transportation & Logistics
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
Also called: Attendant, Dock Attendant, Dock Hand, Fuel Attendant
US median pay
$35,670
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.8%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
12,900
102,400 employed
Typical entry education
No formal educational credential
Preparation 2/5 · Some preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Collect cash payments from customers, and make change or charge purchases to customers' credit cards, providing customers with receipts.
- Check tire pressure and levels of fuel, motor oil, transmission, radiator, battery, or other fluids, adding air or fluids as required.
- Perform minor repairs, such as adjusting brakes, replacing spark plugs, or changing engine oil or filters.
- Clean parking areas, offices, restrooms, or equipment, and remove trash.
- Order stock, and price and shelve incoming goods.
- Sell and install accessories, such as batteries, windshield wiper blades, fan belts, bulbs, or headlamps.
- Grease and lubricate vehicles or specified units, such as springs, universal joints, or steering knuckles, using grease guns or spray lubricants.
- Rotate, test, and repair or replace tires.
- Prepare daily reports of fuel, oil, and accessory sales.
- Clean windshields.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Time Management3.1/5
- Service Orientation3.1/5
- Operation and Control3.1/5
- Repairing3.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.0/5
- Equipment Maintenance3.0/5
- Coordination3.0/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.0/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.6/5
- Mechanical4.4/5
- Sales and Marketing4.0/5
- Administration and Management3.8/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- Administrative3.0/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 2 of 5 — Some preparation. Usually a high school diploma; some previous work experience or training helps.
Typical entry education (BLS): No formal educational credential.
Highest education of people in this job:
- High school diploma59%
- Post-secondary certificate23%
- Less than high school16%
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.