How to become an Aircraft Service Attendant

Official title: Aircraft Service Attendants

Also called: Aircraft Deicer, Aircraft Refueler, Fueler, Refueler

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.

Main tasks

• Guide aircraft to designated areas using hand signals, batons, or other methods.
• Radio to flight dispatchers or other personnel to discuss incoming or outgoing aircraft.
• Complete forms describing tasks completed.

How to become one

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $40,450 a year The middle half earn $35,740 to $46,830.
• About 31,200 people work in this job now, and about 32,900 are projected by 2035. (+5.6%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Related jobs

• Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants
• Bridge and Lock Tenders
• Parking Attendants
• Traffic Technicians
• Transportation Inspectors
• Aviation Inspectors

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Questions people ask

How much does an Aircraft Service Attendant earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $40,450 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $35,740 to $46,830.

Is an Aircraft Service Attendant a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 31,200 to about 32,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Aircraft Service Attendant?

Usually not. Only 8% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Aircraft Service Attendant?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.