Automotive and watercraft service attendants
SOC Code: 53-6031
Automotive and watercraft service attendants carries a 35% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $34,850 and -1.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 100,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Automotive and watercraft service attendants (SOC 53-6031) carries an AI exposure score of 35%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 100,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a -1.0% change through 2034 — a decline that often compounds with high AI exposure to create displacement headwinds. Median annual compensation stands at $34,850, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Automotive and watercraft service attendants. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Collect cash payments from customers, and make change or charge purchases to customers' credit cards, providing customers with receipts.
- 2. Check tire pressure and levels of fuel, motor oil, transmission, radiator, battery, or other fluids, adding air or fluids as required.
- 3. Prepare daily reports of fuel, oil, and accessory sales.
- 4. Perform minor repairs, such as adjusting brakes, replacing spark plugs, or changing engine oil or filters.
- 5. Clean windshields.
- 6. Clean parking areas, offices, restrooms, or equipment, and remove trash.
- 7. Order stock, and price and shelve incoming goods.
- 8. Activate fuel pumps and fill fuel tanks of vehicles with gasoline or diesel fuel to specified levels.
- 9. Sell and install accessories, such as batteries, windshield wiper blades, fan belts, bulbs, or headlamps.
- 10. Grease and lubricate vehicles or specified units, such as springs, universal joints, or steering knuckles, using grease guns or spray lubricants.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Service Orientation
- Operation and Control
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Complex Problem Solving
- Equipment Maintenance
- Repairing
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
- Sales and Marketing
- Administration and Management
- Mathematics
- Administrative
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Chemistry
- Computers and Electronics
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Automotive and watercraft service attendants?
Automotive and watercraft service attendants has an AI exposure score of 35%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Automotive and watercraft service attendants?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Automotive and watercraft service attendants is projected to decline by 1.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 100,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Automotive and watercraft service attendants?
Key skills for Automotive and watercraft service attendants include Active Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Automotive and watercraft service attendants earn?
The median annual wage for Automotive and watercraft service attendants is $34,850, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Automotive and watercraft service attendants?
The typical entry-level education for Automotive and watercraft service attendants is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Automotive and watercraft service attendants?
Automotive and watercraft service attendants roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).