How to hire an aircraft refueler

How to hire an aircraft refueler, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aircraft refueler hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an aircraft refueler job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new aircraft refueler
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an aircraft refueler do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The aircraft refueler hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect aircraft refueler also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of aircraft refueler salaries for various roles:

   Type of Aircraft Refueler	Description	Hourly rate
   Aircraft Refueler	Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians repair and perform scheduled maintenance on aircraft. They also may perform aircraft inspections as required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).	$12-20
   Structures Mechanic	A Structures Mechanic maintains the frame and structural components of machinery. They fabricate and repair metallic and nonmetallic materials, as well as perform inspections and supervision of machinery.	$21-40
   Systems Mechanic	A systems mechanic specializes in repairing and maintaining systems, ensuring machines operate smoothly and efficiently. Although the extent of their responsibilities varies upon their company or place of employment, it typically includes meeting with clients to identify their needs, inspecting machinery, troubleshooting problems, replacing and fixing wirings, and recommending other services when necessary... Show more	$24-43

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • FBO
   • Private Aircraft
   • Fuel Trucks
   • Aircraft Fuel
   • Safety Procedures
   • Aircraft Equipment
   • Ground Support Equipment
   • Safety Checks
   • FAA
   • TSA
   • Vehicle Defects
   • Fuel Samples
   • Emergency Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the organization of information of FAA correspondence and provide communication support to team members.
   • Maintain daily FAA and corporate require logs.
   • Perform schedule and unschedule maintenance on communication, radar, instrument, electrical/power distribution, and integrate weapons delivery systems.
   • Work directly with VIP, and their staff, VIP events.
   • Maintain and perform maintenance on assign VIP aircraft.

   More aircraft refueler duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the aircraft refueler job description is a good way to get more applicants. An aircraft refueler salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for an aircraft refueler in Florida may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level aircraft refueler. Additionally, an aircraft refueler with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average aircraft refueler salary

   $15.85hourly

   $32,978 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level aircraft refueler salary

   $25,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average aircraft refueler salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Nevada	$36,837	$18
   2	Alaska	$36,837	$18
   3	Illinois	$36,329	$17
   4	Wyoming	$34,881	$17
   5	California	$34,751	$17
   6	New York	$33,197	$16
   7	Pennsylvania	$32,958	$16
   8	Virginia	$32,713	$16
   9	South Carolina	$32,398	$16
   10	Indiana	$32,317	$16
   11	Georgia	$31,387	$15
   12	Wisconsin	$31,263	$15
   13	Arizona	$31,207	$15
   14	Alabama	$30,574	$15
   15	Missouri	$30,511	$15
   16	North Carolina	$30,340	$15
   17	Connecticut	$30,263	$15
   18	Utah	$30,189	$15
   19	Oregon	$29,305	$14
   20	Texas	$29,297	$14

   Average aircraft refueler salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Atlantic Companies Holding Corporation	$31,329	$15.06	48

4. Writing an aircraft refueler job description

   A good aircraft refueler job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an aircraft refueler job description:

   Aircraft refueler job description example

   Job DescriptionWhy You’ll Love This Aircraft Refueler / Line Service Technician Job
   
   Did you ever want to work in aviation but didn’t know how to break into the industry? Would you like working in a fast-paced environment, often outdoors, around some of the most incredible professionals in aviation? If so, this Aircraft Refueler / Line Service Technician position with Atlantic Aviation in JuneauAK99801, AK may be perfect for you!
   
   In this position, you will provide aviation ground support services to customers in a positive and professional manner. You will perform in all facets of the ground handling operation including but not limited to aircraft fueling/defueling, baggage/cargo handling, aircraft towing, using marshalling signals for aircraft parking, providing lavatory/potable water service, and using other various ground support equipment to help support the needs of customer and their aircraft.
   
   Build a career in aviation you are excited about and apply for the Aircraft Refueler / Line Service Technician job today!
   
   This position pays $18 / hour. Responsibilities Aircraft Refueler / Line Service Technician Responsibilities
   

   • Deliver and receive fuel to and from company tanks, vendor trucks, and aircraft.
   • Operate all company ground support equipment as requested or required, including lavatory and water service carts, ground power unit, deice truck, etc.
   • Perform ground marshalling using standard aviation signals.
   • Perform customer service activities such as helping customers with aircraft scheduling and fueling.
   • Assist with aircraft turning, loading, and unloading.
   • Ensure all buildings and grounds are safe, clean, and organized.
   • Conduct or assists with daily/weekly onsite safety inspections and audits of equipment and facility operations.

   Required Skills Aircraft Refueler / Line Service Technician Qualifications

   • High school diploma or GED certificate
   • 18 years of age
   • A valid state driver’s license
   • Be comfortable and physically able to work in an environment with frequent walking, stretching, bending, sitting, stooping, reaching, grasping, and climbing
   • Be physically able to perform heavy lifting on a regular basis up to 50 lbs.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right aircraft refueler for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your aircraft refueler job on Zippia to find and recruit aircraft refueler candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit aircraft refuelers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new aircraft refueler

   Once you have selected a candidate for the aircraft refueler position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an aircraft refueler?