Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant Salary
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants earn a median $35,670 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What automotive and watercraft service attendants do
Service automobiles, buses, trucks, boats, and other automotive or marine vehicles with fuel, lubricants, and accessories. Collect payment for services and supplies. May lubricate vehicle, change motor oil, refill antifreeze, or replace lights or other accessories, such as windshield wiper blades or fan belts. May repair or replace tires.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.8% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 12,900
Employment of automotive and watercraft service attendants is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 12,900 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,100
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,212
- Medicare (1.45%)$517
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$30,841
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,630 | $13.76 | $25,184 |
| 25th percentile | $31,300 | $15.05 | $27,330 |
| Median (50th) | $35,670 | $17.15 | $30,841 |
| 75th percentile | $39,320 | $18.90 | $33,774 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,060 | $22.14 | $39,189 |
Best cities for automotive and watercraft service attendants (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $39,070 | $32,513 | $28,629 | 2,830 |
| 2 | Philadelphia, PA | $34,880 | $29,135 | $28,410 | 2,490 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $36,420 | $29,086 | $27,591 | 2,870 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $36,440 | $30,089 | $26,731 | 9,370 |
| 5 | Atlanta, GA | $31,040 | $26,132 | $26,117 | 2,770 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $39,070
- New York, NY — $36,440
- Portland, OR — $36,420
- Philadelphia, PA — $34,880
- Atlanta, GA — $31,040
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $43,630 | +2.2% | $35,411 | $29,130 – $64,980 | 270 |
| California | $41,770 | +5.5% | $34,539 | $36,360 – $50,200 | 10,190 |
| District of Columbia | $41,750 | +17.8% | $34,387 | $36,400 – $59,860 | — |
| Rhode Island | $41,690 | +0.2% | $34,731 | $36,540 – $44,130 | 120 |
| Connecticut | $41,600 | +8.4% | $34,659 | $35,760 – $58,170 | 420 |
| Alaska | $41,590 | +9.7% | $35,598 | $32,620 – $60,330 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $40,030 | +5.0% | $34,344 | $35,550 – $58,180 | 200 |
| Washington | $39,440 | +1.1% | $33,870 | $34,950 – $51,470 | 2,620 |
| Montana | $38,700 | +2.1% | $32,213 | $30,390 – $47,840 | 460 |
| Vermont | $38,700 | +1.9% | $32,413 | $31,980 – $43,740 | 170 |
| Colorado | $38,370 | −0.1% | $32,030 | $34,800 – $47,890 | 2,980 |
| Missouri | $38,130 | −2.5% | $31,963 | $33,800 – $48,410 | 1,150 |
| Maryland | $37,580 | +5.3% | $30,954 | $31,230 – $64,890 | 1,060 |
| Nevada | $37,550 | +4.1% | $32,351 | $27,750 – $59,730 | 250 |
| Minnesota | $37,470 | +0.4% | $31,101 | $28,830 – $45,000 | 1,230 |
| New York | $37,180 | −1.7% | $30,643 | $33,090 – $46,430 | 3,770 |
| Utah | $37,000 | +7.7% | $31,211 | $26,280 – $48,340 | 890 |
| North Dakota | $36,740 | −0.9% | $31,701 | $28,400 – $53,430 | 500 |
| Wyoming | $36,640 | +3.2% | $31,620 | $29,300 – $41,980 | 280 |
| Wisconsin | $36,550 | +0.9% | $30,721 | $25,020 – $43,910 | 2,770 |
| Delaware | $36,530 | +3.6% | $30,181 | $31,200 – $43,680 | 370 |
| South Dakota | $36,050 | +2.8% | $31,146 | $29,370 – $45,240 | 650 |
| Illinois | $36,010 | +0.3% | $29,476 | $31,200 – $49,360 | 1,940 |
| South Carolina | $36,000 | +18.7% | $30,103 | $26,760 – $52,590 | 220 |
| Arizona | $35,840 | +3.2% | $30,290 | $31,200 – $45,050 | 1,710 |
| Indiana | $35,700 | +8.4% | $29,841 | $28,680 – $44,660 | 3,090 |
| Massachusetts | $35,680 | −2.4% | $29,285 | $32,780 – $48,760 | 1,850 |
| Idaho | $35,560 | −3.9% | $29,976 | $31,200 – $44,430 | 480 |
| Kansas | $35,440 | +2.2% | $29,477 | $27,950 – $44,290 | 1,500 |
| New Jersey | $35,350 | +2.8% | $30,053 | $32,220 – $44,840 | 11,050 |
| Ohio | $34,990 | −0.3% | $30,115 | $27,580 – $42,040 | 2,930 |
| Nebraska | $34,940 | +1.1% | $29,544 | $29,830 – $44,120 | 910 |
| Florida | $34,860 | +3.8% | $30,190 | $28,020 – $47,210 | 5,150 |
| Arkansas | $34,750 | +10.2% | $28,959 | $27,760 – $46,750 | 870 |
| Oregon | $34,280 | −1.1% | $27,554 | $30,290 – $44,200 | 6,270 |
| North Carolina | $33,680 | +5.4% | $28,407 | $28,920 – $42,160 | 2,790 |
| Texas | $33,670 | +9.4% | $29,234 | $27,040 – $43,470 | 6,880 |
| Maine | $32,310 | −6.4% | $27,059 | $30,470 – $40,790 | 680 |
| Tennessee | $31,970 | +4.5% | $27,868 | $25,450 – $38,470 | 2,840 |
| Oklahoma | $31,760 | +1.8% | $26,815 | $27,430 – $52,950 | 1,270 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,550 | +9.4% | $26,562 | $23,130 – $45,490 | 1,580 |
| Kentucky | $31,410 | +2.5% | $26,436 | $20,850 – $38,200 | 1,220 |
| Michigan | $31,280 | +0.4% | $26,235 | $26,650 – $38,550 | 3,390 |
| Georgia | $30,950 | +5.7% | $26,065 | $27,080 – $45,150 | 4,210 |
| New Mexico | $30,880 | +3.2% | $26,613 | $28,610 – $40,550 | — |
| Iowa | $30,810 | +2.5% | $26,417 | $28,220 – $47,550 | 340 |
| Mississippi | $30,810 | +7.3% | $26,435 | $24,170 – $42,010 | 350 |
| Virginia | $30,350 | −2.3% | $25,635 | $25,810 – $43,950 | 4,060 |
| Alabama | $29,180 | +2.4% | $24,432 | $23,900 – $37,440 | 2,150 |
| Louisiana | $29,150 | +1.6% | $25,114 | $24,460 – $52,120 | 1,150 |
| West Virginia | $28,260 | +7.5% | $24,174 | $23,300 – $36,240 | 200 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $40,450 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.6% |
| Parking Attendant | $35,150 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Passenger Attendant | $37,720 | High school diploma or equivalent | +6.0% |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $45,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $57,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.3% |
| Traffic Technician | $59,090 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Cleaner of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,830 | No formal educational credential | +3.9% |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $35,450 | High school diploma or equivalent | -1.3% |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,280 | No formal educational credential | -5.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a automotive and watercraft service attendant make?
The national median salary for automotive and watercraft service attendants is $35,670 a year ($17.15 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,630 and the top 10% earn over $46,060. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays automotive and watercraft service attendants the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $43,630. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many automotive and watercraft service attendants are there in the U.S.?
About 102,010 people work as automotive and watercraft service attendants nationwide.