How much does a automotive and watercraft service attendant make?
The median automotive and watercraft service attendant in the United States earns $35,670 per year, about $17.15 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all automotive and watercraft service attendants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-6031.
Automotive and watercraft service attendant salary range
Pay for automotive and watercraft service attendants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $28,630 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $46,060. The average (mean) wage of $36,780 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,630 | $13.76 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $31,300 | $15.05 | |
| Median (50th) | $35,670 | $17.15 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $39,320 | $18.90 | |
| 90th percentile | $46,060 | $22.14 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for automotive and watercraft service attendants (SOC 53-6031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Automotive and watercraft service attendant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Automotive and watercraft service attendants earn the most in Hawaii at $43,630 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $28,260. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $43,630 | 270 |
| California | $41,770 | 10,190 |
| District of Columbia | $41,750 | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $41,690 | 120 |
| Connecticut | $41,600 | 420 |
| Alaska | $41,590 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $40,030 | 200 |
| Washington | $39,440 | 2,620 |
| Montana | $38,700 | 460 |
| Vermont | $38,700 | 170 |
| Colorado | $38,370 | 2,980 |
| Missouri | $38,130 | 1,150 |
| Maryland | $37,580 | 1,060 |
| Nevada | $37,550 | 250 |
| Minnesota | $37,470 | 1,230 |
| New York | $37,180 | 3,770 |
| Utah | $37,000 | 890 |
| North Dakota | $36,740 | 500 |
| Wyoming | $36,640 | 280 |
| Wisconsin | $36,550 | 2,770 |
| Delaware | $36,530 | 370 |
| South Dakota | $36,050 | 650 |
| Illinois | $36,010 | 1,940 |
| South Carolina | $36,000 | 220 |
| Arizona | $35,840 | 1,710 |
| Indiana | $35,700 | 3,090 |
| Massachusetts | $35,680 | 1,850 |
| Idaho | $35,560 | 480 |
| Kansas | $35,440 | 1,500 |
| New Jersey | $35,350 | 11,050 |
| Ohio | $34,990 | 2,930 |
| Nebraska | $34,940 | 910 |
| Florida | $34,860 | 5,150 |
| Arkansas | $34,750 | 870 |
| Oregon | $34,280 | 6,270 |
| North Carolina | $33,680 | 2,790 |
| Texas | $33,670 | 6,880 |
| Maine | $32,310 | 680 |
| Tennessee | $31,970 | 2,840 |
| Oklahoma | $31,760 | 1,270 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,550 | 1,580 |
| Kentucky | $31,410 | 1,220 |
| Michigan | $31,280 | 3,390 |
| Georgia | $30,950 | 4,210 |
| New Mexico | $30,880 | N/A |
| Iowa | $30,810 | 340 |
| Mississippi | $30,810 | 350 |
| Virginia | $30,350 | 4,060 |
| Alabama | $29,180 | 2,150 |
| Louisiana | $29,150 | 1,150 |
| West Virginia | $28,260 | 200 |
State median wages for automotive and watercraft service attendants (SOC 53-6031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for automotive and watercraft service attendants
The BLS projects employment of automotive and watercraft service attendants to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 102,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 106,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 12,900 openings a year for automotive and watercraft service attendants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an automotive and watercraft service attendant
The typical entry-level education for automotive and watercraft service attendants is no formal educational credential, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an automotive and watercraft service attendant earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $43,630) and the lowest (West Virginia, $28,260) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 102,010 people work as automotive and watercraft service attendants in the United States. At $35,670 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Automotive and watercraft service attendant salary FAQ
How much does an automotive and watercraft service attendant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an automotive and watercraft service attendant is $17.15. The middle half of automotive and watercraft service attendants earn between $15.05 and $18.90 per hour.
What is the highest automotive and watercraft service attendant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of automotive and watercraft service attendants earn more than $46,060 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an automotive and watercraft service attendant make a year?
The median annual salary for an automotive and watercraft service attendant is $35,670. The average (mean) wage of $36,780 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an automotive and watercraft service attendant a well paid job?
At $35,670 a year, an automotive and watercraft service attendant earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 102,010 people work as automotive and watercraft service attendants in the United States.
Which state pays automotive and watercraft service attendants the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for automotive and watercraft service attendants at $43,630 a year. California ($41,770) and District of Columbia ($41,750) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an automotive and watercraft service attendant a good career?
Employment of automotive and watercraft service attendants is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 12,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an automotive and watercraft service attendant?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for automotive and watercraft service attendants as no formal educational credential, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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