Flight attendants are responsible for ensuring passenger safety and comfort during flights. Their duties include greeting passengers as they board, demonstrating safety procedures, serving food and drinks, and responding to emergencies. It’s a demanding job that requires training in first aid, emergency protocols, and customer service. So how much do flight attendants typically earn for their important work?
The national average salary for flight attendants
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for flight attendants in the U.S. as of May 2020 was $59,150. This works out to an average hourly wage of around $28.47. The lowest 10% of flight attendants earned less than $30,820 per year, while the highest 10% earned more than $80,870 annually.
Here’s a table summarizing the national salary data:
| Flight Attendant Salary | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Salary | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Salary | $30,820 | $43,860 | $59,150 | $72,100 | $80,870 |
So while flight attendant pay can vary quite a bit based on experience, airline, and other factors, the typical range is $30,000 – $80,000 per year.
Salary by airline
Salaries can differ significantly between airlines. Major legacy carriers like Delta, United, and American tend to offer higher pay, while regional and budget airlines have lower average wages. For example, Glassdoor data shows that the average reported salary for flight attendants at Southwest Airlines is around $58,000. At Delta Air Lines it’s approximately $71,000 annually. And at budget carrier Spirit Airlines, the average is around $45,000 per year.
Here’s a comparison of average flight attendant salary by airline, based on self-reported data from Glassdoor:
| Airline | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | $71,000 |
| United Airlines | $55,000 |
| American Airlines | $51,000 |
| Southwest Airlines | $58,000 |
| JetBlue | $49,000 |
| Spirit Airlines | $45,000 |
Keep in mind these are averages across all experience levels. Regional airlines and budget carriers tend to pay less, while major airlines offer the highest salaries and best benefit packages for flight attendants.
Factors that affect flight attendant pay
There are a number of factors that can impact how much a flight attendant earns:
Years of experience
Just like most jobs, flight attendants tend to earn more as they gain experience and seniority. Those just starting out may make around $20,000 – $35,000 per year. But attendants with 10+ years on the job can earn $50,000 – $90,000 annually.
Type of routes
The flights a flight attendant works can affect pay. Long-haul international routes and cross-country red-eye flights tend to pay more than shorter regional hops. That’s because long routes equate to more hours on duty.
Union contracts
Most flight attendants in the U.S. work under collective bargaining agreements negotiated by unions. These contracts stipulate pay rates and annual raises, which directly impact earnings.
Per diem/duty pay
In addition to their regular wages, flight attendants receive per diem or duty pay for time spent away from their home base. This can add a few thousand dollars or more to their annual income depending on layover schedules.
Premiums for seniority/languages
Some airlines offer seniority premiums for long-tenured attendants, as well as extra pay for those fluent in foreign languages.
Federal vs. regional carriers
As noted earlier, major airlines tend to offer better compensation than regional carriers. Regional airlines are shorter haul operators that feed into the hub airports for major airlines.
Benefits for flight attendants
In addition to wages, airlines offer flight attendants various benefits:
- Health insurance – Most airlines provide medical, dental, and vision plans, sometimes with employer contributions to premiums.
- Flight benefits – Free or heavily discounted air travel for attendants, their families, and friends.
- Retirement plans – Airlines offer 401(k) plans and sometimes pension plans for retirees.
- Paid time off – Attendants earn paid vacation and sick days.
- Tuition reimbursement – Some airlines offer reimbursement for college courses and training.
The value of these benefits can add thousands of dollars to a flight attendant’s total annual compensation.
Job outlook for flight attendants
The BLS projects that demand for flight attendants in the U.S. will grow by 10% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. This should lead to solid job opportunities for those interested in the profession.
However, attendants may experience periods of unemployment between jobs when airlines cut staff – for example, during economic downturns or depressions in air travel. Obtaining certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can improve job prospects.
Highest paying states for flight attendants
Flight attendant salaries can vary significantly by state as well. Here are the 10 highest paying states for flight attendants based on BLS data for 2020:
| State | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $67,860 |
| Hawaii | $67,820 |
| California | $64,310 |
| Washington | $63,890 |
| Oregon | $60,960 |
| Maryland | $60,660 |
| Virginia | $59,960 |
| Georgia | $59,520 |
| Texas | $59,440 |
| Colorado | $59,150 |
States with major airline hubs like California, Texas, and Georgia tend to offer higher salaries for flight attendants. Nevada tops the list due to the high volume of tourist flights to Las Vegas.
Highest paying cities for flight attendants
Looking more locally, here are the top 10 highest paying metro areas for flight attendants:
| Metro Area | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL | $71,960 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach, CA | $70,680 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $67,900 |
| Orlando, FL | $64,400 |
| San Francisco, CA | $63,550 |
| Fort Worth, TX | $62,270 |
| Denver, CO | $61,960 |
| Atlanta, GA | $61,450 |
| Charlotte, NC | $61,130 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $60,970 |
Major airline hubs and tourist destinations in warm weather states dominate the highest paying cities for flight attendants.
How to become a flight attendant
Here are the main steps to start a career as a flight attendant in the United States:
- Meet the minimum requirements – You typically need a high school diploma or GED, be at least 18-21 years old depending on the airline, and meet height/weight requirements.
- Complete flight attendant training – Airlines and vocational schools offer flight attendant certificate programs covering topics like aviation terminology, in-flight procedures, emergency protocols, CPR, and customer service.
- Pass an airline interview – Airlines have rigorous interviews to assess attributes like communication skills, professionalism, and ability to work under pressure.
- Undergo a background check – Airlines thoroughly vet candidates for safety and security reasons.
- Get certified by the FAA – Flight attendants must obtain an FAA-issued Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency.
- Complete airline-specific training – Once hired, attendants go through additional training on aviation regulations, airline procedures, and aircraft-specific configuration.
With dedication and excellent customer service skills, flight attendants can advance in their careers and earnings potential over time.
Conclusion
Flight attendants earn a median annual salary of around $59,000, with pay ranging from $30,000 for new hires up to over $80,000 for the most senior attendants. Major airlines tend to offer higher wages than regional carriers, and those working busy routes can also command higher incomes. Excellent benefits, travel privileges, and job growth prospects make it an appealing career choice for those willing to undergo extensive training and work variable schedules.