Service Station Attendants

Career summary

Service station attendants may also be called automotive service technicians and lubrication technicians.

Service station attendants fill fuel tanks for cars, buses, trucks, and motorboats.

Attendants may wash vehicles' windshields while gas tanks are filling. Attendants collect payments from customers. They make change for cash payments or process credit card sales.

Service station attendants may also provide basic vehicle care such as:

• Checking tire pressure and adding air if required
• Checking fluid levels
• Replacing batteries, windshield wipers, and other parts

Some attendants perform more complex repairs under the supervision of mechanics. These repairs include replacing belts, lights, spark plugs, oil, and air filters.

At self-service stations most attendants do not pump gas. They collect payments and perform other tasks at the station. They answer customers' questions and clean the station and restrooms. They may also prepare daily reports about the amount of fuel, oil, and accessories sold. They maintain merchandise displays. They may operate car washes and test and charge car batteries.

Related careers

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Auto Body Repairers
• Auto Glass Installers
• Automobile Mechanics
• Bicycle Repairers
• Counter and Rental Clerks
• Counter Attendants
• Parking Lot Attendants
• Retail Salespeople
• Tire Repairers and Changers

Military careers

• Petroleum Supply Specialists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to service station attendants.

• Ask customers the type and amount of fuel they want.
• Fill fuel tank of vehicles or supervise customers as they fill their tanks.
• Clean windshields. Check vehicle fluid levels and air pressure in tires. Add fluids or air as needed.
• Collect cash from customers and make change. Charge purchases to customers' credit or debit cards.
• Perform simple repairs, such as changing oil, repairing tires, and replacing batteries. Are supervised by mechanics.
• Sell accessories and answer customers' questions.
• Prepare daily reports of fuel, oil, and accessories sold.
• Assist with merchandise displays and take inventory of stock.
• Test and charge batteries.
• Clean parking areas, offices, and equipment, and remove trash.
• Operate car washes.

Common work activities

Service station attendants perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Get information needed to do the job
• Control machines and processes
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Perform for or work with the public
• Handle and move objects
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Process information
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Evaluate information against standards
• Analyze data or information
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Document and record information
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Schedule work and activities
• Develop goals and strategies
• Think creatively
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, service station attendants:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact. Attendants spend a lot of time dealing with customers.
• Communicate on a daily basis by telephone and face-to-face discussions.
• Sometimes work as part of a team.
• Sometimes are placed in conflict situations when customers may become unpleasant or rude.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the health and safety of coworkers and customers.

Physical work conditions

• Are often exposed to contaminants such as gasoline fumes.
• Work outdoors most of the time.
• Are often exposed to hazardous conditions and equipment.
• Sometimes wear special uniforms, depending on the employer.
• May be exposed to hot or cold temperatures, depending on the weather.
• Are occasionally exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels.
• May work physically close to others, usually within a few feet.

Work performance

• Must be exact in their work and be sure all details are done. Errors made while servicing vehicles could cause damage.
• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.
• Often make decisions without seeking input from a supervisor first. This will depend on the task and situation.
• Set some of their daily tasks and goals independently.
• Must meet monthly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• May work part time or full time. Schedules are usually regular.
• May work nights, weekends, and holidays, since some service stations are open 24 hours a day.

Physical demands

Service station attendants frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Repeat the same movements.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for service station attendants to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for service station attendants to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Service station attendants need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Operate and control equipment.
• Repair machines or systems.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Automotive Technology

Training

To work as a service station attendant, you typically need to:

• complete short-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required for this job. However, many employers prefer that you have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

On-the-job training

Service station attendants learn their skills on the job. You work with experienced attendants who teach you the job. Training usually lasts about a month.

Military training

Some branches of the military train people to be petroleum supply specialists. Training lasts four to eight weeks. Additional training occurs on the job.

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Auto Repair Technology
• Diesel Mechanics and Repair
• Introduction to Mechanics
• Physical Education

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Few employers require special training or background for service station attendants. However, most employers prefer applicants who have a high school diploma or equivalent. They may also require workers to be at least 18 years old and have a driver's license. Some employers may require applicants to pass a drug-screening test.

Employers look for applicants who are organized and can serve several customers at once. For attendants who also perform repairs, employers look for a general understanding of how automobiles work. Employers look for workers who have some sales ability and good math skills.

Tips

Some employers indicate that a neat appearance and good work record are important. Most important is the willingness to work evenings, weekends, and sometimes on holidays.

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

The minimum wage for Washington State as of January 1, 2020 is $13.50 per hour. Some areas of the state may have a higher minimum wage.

In addition to their regular wages, some attendants also receive a commission on the accessories and services they sell.

Wages vary by area of the country, the size and type of service station, and the attendant's level of experience.

Benefits vary by employer. Full-time service station attendants may receive health insurance, paid vacation, and sick leave. Employers may pay for the attendant's work clothes.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Gas stations
• Auto service businesses

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be about average. As the population grows more service station attendants will be needed to fill fuel tanks for cars, buses, trucks, and other vehicles. Service station attendants will also be needed to provide basic automotive services.

Job openings occur as people leave the occupation.

Other resources

References

Career cluster

• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants (53-6031.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 2 - Some preparation needed. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed.

DOT occupations

• Automobile-self-serve-service-station Attendant (915.477-010) 
• Automobile-service-station Attendant (915.467-010) 
• Garage Servicer, Industrial (915.687-014) 
• Gas-and-oil Servicer (915.587-010) 
• Lubrication Servicer (915.687-018) 
• Taxi Servicer (915.687-030) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Social

COPSystem

• Service Skilled