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Aircraft Service Attendants

Typical education: High school diplomaModerate pressure Bright Outlook

What they do

Service aircraft with fuel. May de-ice aircraft, refill water and cooling agents, empty sewage tanks, service air and oxygen systems, or clean and polish exterior.

Kinds of work

  • Realistic: Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals, often outdoors.
  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $40,450 Median per year · $19.45/hr Most earn $33,830–$57,610

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Guide aircraft to designated areas using hand signals, batons, or other methods.
  • Tow aircraft to gates or hangars using tugs, tractors, or other vehicles.
  • Refuel aircraft using hoses connected to fuel trucks.
  • Climb ladders to reach aircraft surfaces to be cleaned.
  • Apply de-icing fluid to aircraft from baskets lifted by truck-mounted cranes.
  • Guide aircraft to designated areas using hand signals, batons, or other methods.

Job outlook

Bright Outlook Rapid Growth

United States
6% more jobs by 2035, faster than average · about 4,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Support activities for air transportation62.0%
  • Scheduled air transportation20.9%
  • Nonscheduled air transportation4.3%
  • Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods3.2%
  • Local government, excluding education and hospitals2.7%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: None

Some people start through an apprenticeship: paid training on the job, often with classes. Search apprenticeships on Apprenticeship.gov (opens in a new tab) ↗

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: High school diplomaExperience before this job: NoneEntry-level

Aircraft Service Attendant is an entry-level job. You usually need only a high school diploma and no prior work experience, so you can start soon after finishing school.

  1. High school diploma

    About 4 years (or finish the remaining years)

    Finish high school with strong attention to math, science, and shop or mechanical classes, which build the hands-on skills and safety habits this job uses every day.

  2. Aircraft Service Attendant

    Entry level, start right away

    Start by servicing aircraft with fuel, water, oxygen, and de-icing fluids, and learn airport safety rules and equipment from experienced coworkers on the job.

Where it can lead

  1. Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor

    1-2 years of experience first

    After building experience on the ramp, you can move into a supervisor role that leads a small crew, plans loading and servicing work, and makes sure safety rules are followed.

  2. Aircraft Mechanic

    2-4 years of experience, plus certificate or apprenticeship training of experience first

    Many attendants later train as aircraft mechanics and service technicians, which takes formal certificate or apprenticeship training and lets you do inspections and repairs instead of servicing.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take shop, auto, or mechanical classesHands-on work with tools and machines builds comfort with equipment like the fuel trucks and service carts used on the ramp.
  • Take math and science classesBasic math and physics help with measuring fluid levels, reading gauges, and understanding how aircraft systems work.
  • Get a part-time job that involves physical work or customer serviceJobs like stocking, landscaping, or working at a car wash show employers you are reliable and can handle hard, outdoor work.
  • Earn a basic first-aid or safety certification if your school or town offers oneSafety training is valuable on a busy airport ramp where workers handle fuel and heavy equipment.
  • Learn about airports through a school career day or a local airport visitSeeing ramp operations up close helps you decide whether this environment fits you.

In college

  • Take courses in aviation, aircraft maintenance, or logisticsEven a few classes in aviation basics or ground operations can help you stand out for entry-level airport jobs and move up later.
  • Work a campus or airport-related jobJobs with a campus facilities crew, a fueling station, or an airport customer service desk teach safety, teamwork, and equipment handling.
  • Join an aviation club or student organization if your school has oneClubs connect you with people in the industry and often bring in guest speakers or tours of airport operations.
  • Get an entry-level safety or equipment certificationShort certifications in areas like ground safety or hazardous materials can make your résumé stronger for ramp jobs.
  • Seek a summer internship or temporary job at an airport or airlineHands-on experience during breaks shows employers you can work in a fast-paced airport setting and may lead to a permanent role.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for entry-level ramp or airport service jobs at airlines, fixed-base operators, or ground-handling companies; many hire people straight out of high school and provide on-the-job training.
  • Get comfortable with physical work, working outdoors in all weather, and following safety checklists, since these matter a lot in this job.
  • Ask a school counselor or local airport about job shadowing or tours so you can see the work before you apply.

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

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