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As of October 2025, the average salary for an Aircraft Refueler in the United States stands at $32,978 per year, which breaks down to about $16 hourly. Salaries can differ significantly based on factors such as geographic location, experience level, and the specific employer. For instance, Aircraft Refuelers in states like California and Texas may earn more due to higher demand and cost of living adjustments.
Entry-level Aircraft Refuelers typically start at around $15 per hour, while those with several years of experience or specialized certifications can earn upwards of $20 per hour. This career not only provides competitive pay but also potential for growth within the aviation sector.
Job seekers interested in this field can explore listings on platforms like Zippia, which aggregates various opportunities, helping you to find roles that match your skills and salary expectations. Whether you’re just starting or looking to advance, the aviation industry offers promising career paths for Aircraft Refuelers.
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Let Zippi find your next aircraft refueler job
The highest-paying states for aircraft refuelers are Washington, Alaska, and Nevada. The lowest average aircraft refueler salary states are Florida, Arkansas, and Michigan.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $36,593 | $17.59 |
| 2 | Nevada | $36,208 | $17.41 |
| 3 | Wyoming | $34,859 | $16.76 |
| 4 | North Dakota | $34,171 | $16.43 |
| 5 | Washington | $36,628 | $17.61 |
| 6 | Illinois | $36,186 | $17.40 |
| 7 | Vermont | $35,034 | $16.84 |
| 8 | Minnesota | $35,553 | $17.09 |
| 9 | Ohio | $35,143 | $16.90 |
| 10 | South Carolina | $32,652 | $15.70 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $31,165 | $14.98 |
| 12 | Kentucky | $31,648 | $15.22 |
| 13 | Maryland | $33,764 | $16.23 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $35,155 | $16.90 |
| 15 | Colorado | $34,006 | $16.35 |
| 16 | New Jersey | $35,957 | $17.29 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | $33,000 | $15.87 |
| 18 | Hawaii | $33,110 | $15.92 |
| 19 | Arizona | $31,502 | $15.15 |
| 20 | Indiana | $31,986 | $15.38 |
| 21 | Montana | $31,070 | $14.94 |
| 22 | California | $34,147 | $16.42 |
| 23 | Alabama | $30,432 | $14.63 |
| 24 | Georgia | $31,254 | $15.03 |
| 25 | Delaware | $32,318 | $15.54 |
| 26 | Rhode Island | $32,478 | $15.61 |
| 27 | Mississippi | $30,044 | $14.44 |
| 28 | Virginia | $32,815 | $15.78 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $30,193 | $14.52 |
| 30 | New York | $33,193 | $15.96 |
| 31 | Wisconsin | $31,264 | $15.03 |
| 32 | Missouri | $30,461 | $14.64 |
| 33 | Texas | $29,370 | $14.12 |
| 34 | Maine | $30,769 | $14.79 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $28,855 | $13.87 |
| 36 | Utah | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| 37 | Kansas | $29,406 | $14.14 |
| 38 | New Mexico | $28,696 | $13.80 |
| 39 | Iowa | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $29,749 | $14.30 |
| 41 | West Virginia | $29,235 | $14.06 |
| 42 | Connecticut | $30,261 | $14.55 |
| 43 | District of Columbia | $32,095 | $15.43 |
| 44 | Oregon | $29,193 | $14.04 |
| 45 | Florida | $28,523 | $13.71 |
| 46 | New Hampshire | $30,258 | $14.55 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $28,382 | $13.65 |
| 48 | Nebraska | $25,445 | $12.23 |
| 49 | Michigan | $28,168 | $13.54 |
| 50 | Idaho | $27,444 | $13.19 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $26,460 | $12.72 |
The highest-paying cities for aircraft refuelers are Reno, NV, Juneau, AK, and Wheeling, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reno, NV | $36,837 | $17.71 |
| 2 | Juneau, AK | $36,837 | $17.71 |
| 3 | Wheeling, IL | $36,329 | $17.47 |
| 4 | Casper, WY | $34,881 | $16.77 |
| 5 | Stockton, CA | $34,751 | $16.71 |
| 6 | New Windsor, NY | $33,197 | $15.96 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $32,958 | $15.85 |
| 8 | Newport News, VA | $32,713 | $15.73 |
| 9 | North Charleston, SC | $32,398 | $15.58 |
| 10 | South Bend, IN | $32,317 | $15.54 |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | $31,387 | $15.09 |
| 12 | Waukesha, WI | $31,263 | $15.03 |
| 13 | Tucson, AZ | $31,207 | $15.00 |
| 14 | Birmingham, AL | $30,574 | $14.70 |
| 15 | Kansas City, MO | $30,511 | $14.67 |
| 16 | Morrisville, NC | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| 17 | Stratford, CT | $30,263 | $14.55 |
| 18 | Salt Lake City, UT | $30,189 | $14.51 |
| 19 | Eugene, OR | $29,305 | $14.09 |
| 20 | Austin, TX | $29,297 | $14.09 |
An aircraft refueler's salary ranges from $25,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $43,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| Average | $32,978 | $2,748 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $25,000 | $2,083 | $12 |
The highest paying types of aircraft refuelers are systems mechanic, aircraft structure mechanic, and helicopter mechanic.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structures Mechanic | $61,579 | $5,132 | $29.61 | 38,406 |
| Systems Mechanic | $67,679 | $5,640 | $32.54 | 92,087 |
| Structures Technician | $58,608 | $4,884 | $28.18 | 9,957 |
| Helicopter Mechanic | $61,876 | $5,156 | $29.75 | 33,954 |
| Power Plant Technician | $46,681 | $3,890 | $22.44 | 36,418 |
| Plant Mechanic | $45,332 | $3,778 | $21.79 | 42,593 |
Top companies hiring aircraft refuelers now:
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlantic Companies Holding Corporation | $31,329 | $15.06 |
The average aircraft refueler salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Government | $33,729 | $16.22 |
| 2 | Transportation | $32,437 | $15.59 |
| 3 | Technology | $31,363 | $15.08 |
| 4 | Media | $30,492 | $14.66 |
The average aircraft refueler salary has risen by $5,882 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average aircraft refueler earned $27,096 annually, but today, they earn $32,978 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for aircraft refuelers over the last decade.
Compare aircraft refueler salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare aircraft refueler salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,000 | $15.85 | +3.5% |
| 2024 | $31,800 | $15.29 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | $31,200 | $15.01 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $30,300 | $14.56 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $29,900 | $14.36 | +3.0% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | Aircraft Refueler | Grand Forks, ND | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Eagle Creek Aviation | Aircraft Refueler-2Nd Shift | Columbus, IN | 06/15/2025 | $33,392 |
| Jet Access | Aircraft Refueler-2Nd Shift | Columbus, OH | 06/14/2025 | $33,392 |
| Eagle Creek Aviation | Aircraft Refueler | Quincy, IL | 06/05/2025 | $33,392 |
| Jet Access | Aircraft Refueler | Quincy, MA | 06/05/2025 | $33,392 |
| Jet Access | Aircraft Refueler | Greenfield, WI | 04/16/2025 | $35,479 |
| Aero Industries | Airline Aircraft Refueler | Richmond, VA | 03/16/2025 | $29,218 |
| Eagle Creek Aviation | Aircraft Refueler | Greenfield, IN | 03/04/2025 | $33,392 |
| University of North Dakota | Aircraft Refueler | Grand Forks, ND | 01/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Atlantic Aviation | Aircraft Refueler/Line Service Technician | Nashville, TN | 10/25/2024 | $38,610 |
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