Gas station attendants perform a variety of services on automobiles and trucks that come into the station for servicing. Attendants pump gasoline and make sure that cars have enough oil and water. Further duties consist of cleaning the windshield and other windows on every vehicle that comes in for fuel. Occasionally, attendants pump air into motorists' tires. Some are responsible, too, for checking transmission and brake fluid levels, charging batteries, and repairing or changing tires.
In addition, gas station attendants sell and install various products, such as spark plugs and windshield wiper blades. They are in charge of the paperwork involved in selling gas and other items. They take payment and make change for customers or fill out a credit-card slip, noting the car's license number, the amount of gas sold, and its price.
A gas station attendant's duties vary from station to station. A large gas station may employ several attendants, each of whom is responsible for a specific set of duties such as pumping gas and making minor repairs or replacing parts. In smaller stations that have to send their larger repair jobs elsewhere, attendants may have a somewhat greater number of duties. They may, for example, be asked to make moderate repairs as well as pump gas, change oil, and do other jobs.
Occasionally, during emergencies attendants make road calls in the station truck. They may have to change tires, recharge batteries, or make other kinds of minor repairs. Sometimes they have to tow vehicles to their stations for further repair work. They may also give directions to motorists.
Education and Training
Employers prefer applicants who have a driver's license, a general understanding of how an automobile works, and some sales ability. They should be friendly and be able to speak well. Applicants should know simple arithmetic so that they can make change quickly and accurately and help keep business records. They also should be familiar with local roads, highways, and points of interest in order to give directions to strangers and to locate vehicles whose owners have called for road service.
Employers prefer that their attendants have a high school diploma, although they will hire applicants with less schooling. No experience is required, and training is usually of an informal, on-the-job nature. Several large companies do offer training courses, however. Some high schools have vocational courses that enable their students to combine their last 2 years of school with part-time work as gas station attendants.
Getting the Job
Applications for jobs should be made directly to service stations or to the employment offices of the various oil companies. Employment agencies are sometimes helpful. The want ads in newspapers usually announce local openings.
Employment Outlook
Advancement depends on the individual's goals. For attendants who are not interested in becoming supervisors, advancement is generally very limited. Attendants may switch from part-time to full-time work. They may also become expert in making certain kinds of repairs and advance to the job of mechanic's helper. Additional training qualifies attendants to become automobile mechanics. Those who have business management skills may advance to station manager. Many experienced station managers go into business for themselves by leasing stations from oil companies or buying their own stations. Oil companies hire some service station managers as sales workers or district managers.
The employment outlook for gas station attendants is fair. Self-service gas stations have eliminated many jobs. However, because cars are the main means of transportation for many people and suburbs are continuing to grow, gas station attendants will always be needed.
Attendants may be required to do additional maintenance work on newer, more complex cars. For example, more cars will have new safety devices and parts that reduce exhaust fumes.
Working Conditions
Service station attendants spend a fair amount of time outdoors in good and bad weather. Their job tends to be dirty, especially when they do actual repair work. Many attendants work 40 to 50 hours a week, often at night and on weekends. Larger stations usually have their employees work in shifts. Attendants earn extra pay for overtime work.
Earnings and Benefits
Earnings vary, depending on the station, its location, and the kind and amount of work done. Many gas station attendants earn $5.15 to $7 an hour. Attendants with more responsibility, such as those who do minor repairs and maintenance, can earn more than $10 an hour. Attendants sometimes receive commissions on the goods they sell and occasional bonuses from chain-operated companies.
In many stations employers provide fringe benefits, such as health insurance and paid vacations for full-time personnel. Some employers furnish uniforms and pay for cleaning them.
