Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Gas Station Attendant
What gas station attendants actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a gas station attendant?
Open the station. From there, the day usually includes pump fuel, check fluids, and check tire pressure. Shifts include nights and weekends.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a gas station attendant working full time.
- Open the station.
- Pump fuel for commuters.
- Check a customer’s oil.
- Do an oil change.
- Restock fluids.
- Fuel a boat at the dock.
- Count the drawer.
Where gas station attendants work
Attendants work at stations, lube shops and marinas.
Hours and schedule
Shifts include nights and weekends.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Pump fuel
- Check fluids
- Check tire pressure
- Clean windshields
- Do quick oil changes
- Fuel boats
- Help customers
Tools you’ll use every day
- Fuel pumps
- Tire gauges
- Oil drain equipment
- Air compressors
- Squeegees
- Registers
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Short training
- Path to auto careers
- Customer contact
- Active work
What’s hard
- Weather
- Fumes
- Low pay
- Night shifts
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like cars or boats
- I like helping people
- I don’t mind weather
- I want short training
- I might become a mechanic
- I can work shifts
Not sure? Take the free Gas Station Attendant fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- No smoking or flames
- Know emergency shutoffs
- Use spill kits
- Watch traffic