Automotive Service Attendant
An Automotive Service Attendant is primarily responsible for providing customer service at gas stations and associated convenience stores. Traditionally involved in basic automotive services like refueling and maintenance, the role has evolved to focus more on retail tasks, including selling products and maintaining store operations. Attendants typically work in varied environments, balancing time between the interior of retail spaces and outdoor fueling areas, often requiring them to work weekends and holidays.
No formal education is needed to enter this field, and on-the-job training is common. This makes the position accessible to a wide range of individuals, from high school students to retirees. Responsibilities include replenishing stock, maintaining cleanliness, assisting customers with vehicle questions, and potentially performing minor vehicle maintenance tasks. Though the median annual earnings for automotive service attendants are around $33,820, opportunities for advancement exist, especially for those with experience who may move into supervisory roles. Overall, this role is characterized by its blend of customer service and basic automotive knowledge.
Automotive Service Attendant
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Human Services
Interests: Customer service, retail sales
Earnings (Yearly Median): $33,820 per year, $16.26 per hour (2023)
Employment & Outlook: 0 percent (Little or no change)
Entry-Level Education No formal education credential
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training Short-term on-the-job training
Overview
Sphere of Work. Automotive service attendants are retail professionals employed by gas stations. Traditionally, they were skilled at providing assistance with small-scale automotive services, such as refueling, oil changes, and routine tire and engine maintenance. Though some automotive service attendants still provide such services, in many service stations, the role has evolved into that of a retail professional responsible for selling convenience items, maintaining store cleanliness, and resupplying stock. The automotive service responsibilities of attendants vary from station to station.
Work Environment. Automotive service attendants work at gas stations and adjacent convenience stores or at automotive service providers. The parameters of the role require attendants to work both inside and outside during the day and at night. Weekend and holiday work is also common.
Attendants who operate full-service fuel pumps are required to work outdoors in all seasons, while attendants specializing in a station’s retail arm, such as an adjoining convenience store, work primarily indoors. Automotive service attendants of all specialties interact extensively with customers and vendors on a daily basis.
Occupation Interest. As no formal education is required and training typically occurs on the job, automotive service attendants are traditionally unskilled workers and range from high school students to retirees. Attendants with numerous years of experience may advance to positions such as station supervisor or regional manager. The field also attracts individuals interested in automobile maintenance and repair.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Automotive service attendants spend their days replenishing stock, selling items to customers, and maintaining the cleanliness of their stations. They are often responsible for tracking shipments from outside vendors and organizing merchandise on station shelving units. Attendants are also responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of parking areas, restrooms, and exterior property.
Attendants with responsibilities related to automobile fueling and upkeep are additionally responsible for ensuring that diagnostic machinery is in proper working order and that motor oils, tires, windshield wipers, and other relevant automobile supplies are kept well stocked. They are trained in basic vehicle maintenance tasks such as gauging tire pressure, replacing spark plugs and windshield wipers, cleaning windows, and changing motor oil and other fluids. These responsibilities may be conducted in concert with other retail-oriented tasks inherent to the position.
Automotive service attendants may also be required to give driving directions to customers as well as answer questions regarding local accommodations and attractions. Familiarity with the surrounding community and local roadways is helpful, although not traditionally a steadfast requirement of the role.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Automotive service attendants split their time between interior retail facilities and outdoor fueling stations. Some service stations have adjoining garage spaces where attendants may conduct basic automobile maintenance. Such garages are sometimes used by trained mechanics to perform more detailed automobile maintenance and repair. Service stations are located in towns and cities throughout the United States, as well as on freeways and major roadways.
Human Environment. Automotive service attendants interact frequently with customers, conducting retail transactions and assisting customers with automobile troubleshooting and navigational questions. Attendants often work alone but may also work with other service station attendants to accommodate large numbers of customers. It is common for two or more people to work simultaneously in a station’s retail store.
Technological Environment. Automotive service attendants are trained to operate cash registers, as well as food vending machines. They may also use technologies related to basic automobile maintenance tasks, including air pumps, pressure gauges, and several hand and power tools.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. While a high school diploma is not necessary for employment as an automotive service attendant, students can best prepare for the position with courses in industrial arts, computers, business, and communications.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary education is not a requirement for employment as an automotive service station attendant. However, those seeking to advance to supervisory positions may be required to pursue further education.
Related Occupations
− Automotive Parts Service Clerk
− Automotive Service Technician and Mechanics
Bibliography
"Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants." O*NET OnLine, 6 Aug. 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-6031.00. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"Data for Occupations Not Covered In Detail: Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 23 Aug. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/about/data-for-occupations-not-covered-in-detail.htm#. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.