Occupation · SOC 53-6032
Aircraft Service Attendants
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.
Median wage
$41,540
$34,320–$55,950
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
27,310
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
2 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningMonitoringSpeakingOperations MonitoringCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
English LanguagePublic Safety and SecurityTransportationCustomer and Personal ServiceMechanical
Technology & tools
Facilities management softwareInformation retrieval or search softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Apply de-icing fluid to aircraft from baskets lifted by truck-mounted cranes.Change aircraft oil, coolant, or other fluids.Clean aircraft interiors by picking up waste, wiping down windows, or vacuuming.Climb ladders to reach aircraft surfaces to be cleaned.Complete forms describing tasks completed.De-grease aircraft exteriors.Empty aircraft lavatory systems or refill them with sanitizer fluid.Guide aircraft to designated areas using hand signals, batons, or other methods.Inspect aircraft components to locate cracks, breaks, leaks, or other problems.Load baggage or cargo for crew or passengers.Mix cleaning compounds or solutions.Polish aircraft exteriors.Radio to flight dispatchers or other personnel to discuss incoming or outgoing aircraft.Refill aircraft potable water tanks.Refuel aircraft using hoses connected to fuel trucks.Remove exhaust stains from aircraft using cleaning fluids.Tow aircraft to gates or hangars using tugs, tractors, or other vehicles.Wash the aircraft exteriors using lifts, cranes, detergent, or other equipment.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Aircraft cargo loading procedures — follow step-by-step under direct supervisor guidance on the ground crew team.Basic weight-and-balance terminology — recognize and define when reviewing load documents at the aircraft gate.Ground support equipment — operate standard tools and vehicles under close supervision on the ramp.Baggage handling protocols — apply established safety steps while unloading aircraft under direct instruction.Cargo placement guidelines — distribute boxes and freight to designated holds following a pre-assigned load plan.Personal protective equipment requirements — identify and don correctly before entering active ramp areas.Oral instructions from supervisors — listen actively and confirm understanding before performing assigned ramp tasks.Facility management software — enter basic cargo data into the system with guidance from a senior attendant.Safety hazard recognition — spot common ramp hazards such as FOD and fuel spills and report them immediately.Customer baggage handling standards — follow airline-specific protocols to tag and stage bags at the departure gate.
developing
Cargo quantity and orientation calculations — determine load amounts and positioning using standard weight-and-balance worksheets with minimal oversight.Aircraft center-of-gravity figures — compute basic CG values from manifest data using established formulas on routine flights.Ground crew loading activities — coordinate with team members to load, unload, and secure cargo in the correct sequence.Space utilization in cargo holds — distribute freight efficiently across available compartments to meet payload targets.Inventory management software — record cargo counts and track missing or damaged items accurately during a shift.Ramp safety procedures — monitor ground crew compliance with safety rules and flag deviations to the shift supervisor.Verbal communication on the ramp — relay loading instructions clearly using headsets and hand signals in high-noise environments.Routine equipment malfunctions — identify operational anomalies on ground support equipment and initiate the correct reporting process.Load documentation review — read and interpret cargo manifests and weight-and-balance sheets to verify accuracy before departure.New employee orientation tasks — assist in demonstrating basic safety and equipment procedures to recently hired ramp attendants.
proficient
Aircraft center-of-gravity determination — independently calculate CG and loading limits for varied aircraft types using analytical software and manifest data.Non-routine cargo loading challenges — apply critical thinking to resolve weight distribution conflicts or last-minute cargo substitutions under time pressure.Ground crew direction — autonomously assign loading, unloading, securing, and staging duties to crew members across a full departure sequence.Complex cargo space optimization — design and implement loading configurations that maximize hold utilization while meeting safety and balance requirements.Operations monitoring during aircraft turn — oversee all ground activities simultaneously, detecting process deviations and correcting them before departure.Spreadsheet and analytical software — build and maintain load calculation tools used by the team to support accurate CG computations.Judgment in safety-critical situations — evaluate ambiguous ramp conditions and make independent decisions to halt or modify operations when risk is identified.New employee training delivery — lead structured on-the-job instruction sessions covering safety procedures and equipment operation for incoming ramp staff.Interdepartmental coordination — communicate weight-and-balance findings and cargo status updates to flight crews, dispatchers, and operations staff.Regulatory compliance monitoring — audit ramp procedures against airline and FAA standards and document corrective actions in operations records.
advanced
Ramp operations strategy — set departmental loading standards and workflow policies that govern all ground crew activities across multiple aircraft turns.Center-of-gravity program oversight — lead the development and periodic review of weight-and-balance procedures and associated training materials for the station.Ground crew leadership development — mentor senior attendants and shift leads, building a capable team pipeline through structured coaching and performance feedback.Safety culture accountability — establish and enforce a zero-tolerance safety framework for ramp operations, driving measurable reductions in incidents and injuries.Cargo space and payload optimization initiatives — direct station-level projects that improve load efficiency metrics, reducing fuel cost impact through better CG management.Cross-functional operational alignment — represent ramp services in planning meetings with airline operations, dispatch, and airport authority stakeholders.Technology adoption and systems governance — evaluate and implement inventory management and analytical software upgrades that improve load planning accuracy.New employee training program design — author and continuously improve the formal onboarding curriculum covering safety, equipment, and weight-and-balance procedures.Incident investigation leadership — lead root-cause analyses following cargo misloads or ramp incidents and present findings with corrective action plans to management.Performance standard setting — define key performance indicators for ramp efficiency and compliance, monitor results station-wide, and drive continuous improvement cycles.
Also known as
165 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Special Mission Aviator Craftsman, HH-60 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A173F)Special Mission Aviator Journeyman, CV-22 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A153B)Mobility Force Aviator Apprentice, E-8 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A132K)Mobility Force Aviator Senior Enlisted Leader, C-17 Loadmaster (Air Force 1A192C)Mobility Force Aviator Journeyman, C-5 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A152A)Special Mission Aviator Senior Enlisted Leader, MH-139 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A193G)Instructor, Flying IMobility Force Aviator Helper, KC-135 Boom Operator (Air Force 1A112H)Mobility Force Aviator Senior Enlisted Leader, EC-130H Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A192O)Mobility Force Aviator Helper, C-17 Loadmaster (Air Force 1A112C)Mobility Force Aviator Journeyman, Data Mask Mobility Force Aviator (Air Force 1A152Z)Mobility Force Aviator Helper, KC-10 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A112J)Mobility Force Aviator Journeyman, KC-135 Boom Operator (Air Force 1A152H)Special Mission Aviator Apprentice, CV-22 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A133B)Mobility Force Aviator Craftsman, E-8 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A172K)Airman (Coast Guard AN)Mobility Force Aviator Helper, WC-130J Loadmaster (Air Force 1A112E)Special Mission Aviator Journeyman (Air Force 1A153)Mobility Force Aviator Journeyman, C-130J Loadmaster (Air Force 1A152D)Special Mission Aviator Apprentice, MC-130J Loadmaster (Air Force 1A133E)Aircraft FuelerMobility Force Aviator Senior Enlisted Leader, KC-10 Boom Operator (Air Force 1A192I)Aircraft CleanerAir Transportation Journeyman (Air Force 2T251)Special Mission Aviator Craftsman, MC-130J Loadmaster (Air Force 1A173E)Air Transportation Apprentice (Air Force 2T231)Special Mission Aviator Senior Enlisted Leader, C-146 Loadmaster (Air Force 1A193H)Airline RefuelerMobility Force Aviator Craftsman, EC-130H Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A172O)Special Mission Aviator Apprentice, HC-130J Loadmaster (Air Force 1A133D)Air Transportation (Air Force 2T2X1)Air Transportation Helper (Air Force 2T211)Mobility Force Aviator Craftsman, KC-10 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A172J)Special Mission Aviator Helper, C-146 Loadmaster (Air Force 1A113H)Special Mission Aviator Senior Enlisted Leader (Air Force 1A193)Special Mission Aviator Journeyman, MC-130J Loadmaster (Air Force 1A153E)Mobility Force Aviator Journeyman (Air Force 1A152)Airfield Maintenance Equipment OperatorMobility Force Aviator Helper, KC-46 Boom Operator (Air Force 1A112G)Special Mission Aviator Journeyman, MH-139 Flight Engineer (Air Force 1A153G)