Flight attendants salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,110 | Data unavailable |
| Median (50th percentile) | $63,580 | Data unavailable |
| Mean (average) | $77,440 | Data unavailable |
| 90th percentile | $136,430 | Data unavailable |
BLS publishes only annual wages for this occupation because workers are typically paid on an annual basis rather than hourly.
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Flight attendants pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 20 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $61,780 | $32,390 | $81,860 | 4,590 | 1.67 |
| California | $82,170 | $48,130 | $129,290 | 15,840 | 1.03 |
| Colorado | $59,500 | $31,510 | $95,640 | 7,110 | 2.92 |
| Connecticut | $78,180 | $53,990 | $134,050 | 250 | 0.17 |
| Florida | $47,320 | $27,790 | $90,260 | 13,220 | 1.57 |
| Georgia | $78,320 | $62,410 | $127,390 | ||
| Idaho | $62,200 | $62,200 | $130,060 | ||
| Illinois | $62,120 | $40,040 | $98,810 | 9,350 | 1.81 |
| Massachusetts | $61,510 | $31,730 | $99,390 | 4,390 | 1.43 |
| Michigan | $62,490 | $61,270 | $129,070 | ||
| Minnesota | $61,230 | $30,010 | $96,710 | 4,050 | 1.62 |
| Nevada | $51,800 | $31,120 | $75,130 | 4,040 | 3.07 |
| New York | $126,650 | $52,430 | $163,750 | 12,060 | 1.47 |
| Ohio | $62,440 | $26,590 | $95,510 | 990 | 0.21 |
| Oregon | $61,480 | $30,930 | $96,790 | 980 | 0.59 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,520 | $25,960 | $65,370 | 2,290 | 0.45 |
| Texas | $58,220 | $28,800 | $77,740 | 13,470 | 1.13 |
| Utah | $82,730 | $49,830 | $133,230 | 2,490 | 1.7 |
| Virginia | Data unavailable | 3,900 | 1.12 | ||
| Washington | $74,090 | $48,050 | $135,320 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for flight attendants
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 18,500. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 0.4%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for flight attendants
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Related work experience
- Less than 5 years
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Airline Flight Attendant CIP 49.0106
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Verify that first aid kits and other emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and oxygen bottles, are in working order.
- Announce and demonstrate safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts, and life jackets.
- Monitor passenger behavior to identify threats to the safety of the crew and other passengers.
- Walk aisles of planes to verify that passengers have complied with federal regulations prior to takeoffs and landings.
- Direct and assist passengers in emergency procedures, such as evacuating a plane following an emergency landing.
- Prepare passengers and aircraft for landing, following procedures.
- Administer first aid to passengers in distress.
- Determine special assistance needs of passengers, such as small children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.
Technology skills
- Microsoft Excel (in demand)
- Microsoft Office software (in demand)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (in demand)
- Microsoft Word (in demand)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft Windows (hot technology)
- AD OPT Altitude
- Arkitektia Flight Itinerary
- Bid Assistant
- IBM Lotus LearningSpace
- SBS International Maestro Suite
- ValtamTech Flight Crew Log
Transferable skills for career changers: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination, Time Management, Persuasion, Judgment and Decision Making.
Common job titles: Flight Attendant, In-Flight Crew Member, Inflight Services Flight Attendant, International Flight Attendant, Purser.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do flight attendants make?
The national median annual wage for flight attendants was $63,580 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $35,110 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $136,430. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do flight attendants need?
BLS lists high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with less than 5 years of related work experience and moderate-term on-the-job training on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is flight attendants a growing career?
BLS projects employment of flight attendants to change +8.8% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 18,500 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay flight attendants the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were New York ($126,650), Utah ($82,730), California ($82,170). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.