Automotive Service Technician
Inspect, diagnose and repair cars and light trucks, including hybrids and EVs.
- $50,620
- 6–24 months
Transportation & Logistics career
Gas Station Attendant
Also called: Service Station Attendant · Fuel Attendant · Marina Fuel Dock Attendant · Lube Technician
What gas station attendants do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a gas station attendant do?
Automotive and watercraft service attendants service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats and other vehicles with fuel, lubricants and accessories. The median pay is $35,670 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few days on the job, and employment is projected to grow +3.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$35,670$17.15/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+3.8%2025–35, about as fast as average
- Openings per year12,900Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationNo formal educational credentialBLS classification
- Time to trainA few days on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs102,400Employment, 2025
What gas station attendants do
Service attendants keep vehicles fueled and topped off. They pump gas (required in New Jersey and parts of Oregon), check oil and tire pressure, wash windows, do quick oil changes, fuel boats at marinas and help customers.
No formal education is required, and training is short. BLS projects about average growth.
Typical duties
- Pump fuel
- Check fluids
- Check tire pressure
- Clean windshields
- Do quick oil changes
- Fuel boats
- Help customers
Work environment and schedule
Attendants work at stations, lube shops and marinas.
Schedule: Shifts include nights and weekends.
A day in the life
- Open the station.
- Pump fuel for commuters.
- Check a customer’s oil.
- Do an oil change.
See a full day in the life of a gas station attendant →
Gas Station Attendant salary
Half of gas station attendants earned more than $35,670 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $28,630 for the lowest 10% to $46,060 for the top 10%.
Full gas station attendant pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a gas station attendant
- Apply to a station or lube shop
- Learn fueling and safety
- Learn quick services
- Earn ASE entry-level
- Advance
No formal educational credential is required.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a gas station attendant →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Fueling
- Fluid checks
- Oil changes
- Tire pressure
- Cash handling
People skills
- Courtesy
- Reliability
- Speed
- Safety awareness
All gas station attendant skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Short training
- Path to auto careers
- Customer contact
- Active work
Cons
- Weather
- Fumes
- Low pay
- Night shifts
Certifications and licenses
- Fuel safety training: Employer.
- Lube technician certification: Helpful.
- ASE entry-level: Helpful.
- Spill response training: Employer.
Career path
- Attendant: Entry.
- Lube Technician: Services.
- Automotive Technician: Repair.
- Station Manager: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Gas Station Attendant training (6 hours, $59.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as check a car’s oil level and fuel a boat safely, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Tire Technician
Mount, balance and repair tires on cars, trucks and equipment.
- $37,710
- A few weeks on the job
Parking Attendant
Park cars, collect fees and help drivers at lots, garages and hotels.
- $35,150
- A few days on the job
Marine Mechanic
Repair and maintain boat engines, motors and onboard systems.
- $57,550
- 1–2 years of training
Compare: Gas Station Attendant vs. Auto Technician · Gas Station Attendant vs. Tire Technician · Gas Station Attendant vs. Parking Attendant · Gas Station Attendant vs. Marine Mechanic
Gas Station Attendant FAQ
Do attendants still pump gas?
Yes, especially in New Jersey and parts of Oregon.
Do I need experience?
No.
Is it a path to mechanic?
Yes.
How much does a gas station attendant make?
The median annual wage for gas station attendants was $35,670 ($17.15 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $28,630 and the highest 10% earned more than $46,060.
How long does it take to become a gas station attendant?
Most people need about A few days on the job of training. No formal educational credential is required.
Do you need a degree to be a gas station attendant?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “no formal educational credential” as the typical entry-level education, plus short-term on-the-job training.
More gas station attendant questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-6031 (Automotive and watercraft service attendants).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Automotive and watercraft service attendants (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.