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Flight attendant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$63,580median pay per year, May 2025[1]
  1. $35,110lowest 10% earn less
  2. $51,76025th percentile
  3. $63,580median
  4. $95,64075th percentile
  5. $136,430top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[6]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Flight attendants earned a median of $63,580 a year, well above the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2]. You can get hired with a high school diploma and customer service experience, and the airline then trains you for the FAA certification the job requires[3][4][5].

Job growth, 2025–35
+8.8%[7]
Openings per year
18,500[8]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[9]

How much do flight attendants make?

The median wage for flight attendants was $63,580 a year in May 2025[1]. That means half earned more and half earned less. For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[2].

The mean, or average, wage was higher at $77,440[10]. Pay spreads out a lot between the bottom and the top:

Percentile Annual wage
10th[6] $35,110
25th[6] $51,760
50th (median)[1] $63,580
75th[6] $95,640
90th[6] $136,430

So the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35,110, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $136,430[6]. Percentiles are cut-off points, not a starting salary[11].

BLS reports only yearly pay for this job, with no hourly figure. The reason is that many are paid a yearly salary while working under 2,080 hours in a year[12]. These numbers also leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the value of benefits such as health insurance[13].

Pay by state and city

BLS published state medians for 19 states[14]. Among them, New York paid the most at $126,650, followed by Utah at $82,730 and California at $82,170[14]. Pennsylvania was at the bottom of that list at $39,520[14].

The most jobs were in California (15,840), Texas (13,470), Florida (13,220), New York (12,060) and Illinois (9,350)[15]. A big job count does not always mean high pay. Florida had the third most jobs but a median of $47,320[14][15].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, New York-Newark-Jersey City had the highest median at $127,740, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont at $89,430 and Columbus, Ohio at $83,450[16]. The New York area also had the most jobs, 18,030, followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim with 10,080 and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin with 9,240[17].

Show median pay in 19 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
New York[14]$126,65012,060
Utah$82,7302,490
California$82,17015,840
Georgia$78,320n/a
Connecticut$78,180250
Washington$74,090n/a
Michigan$62,490n/a
Ohio$62,440990
Idaho$62,200n/a
Illinois$62,1209,350
Arizona$61,7804,590
Massachusetts$61,5104,390
Oregon$61,480980
Minnesota$61,2304,050
Colorado$59,5007,110
Texas$58,22013,470
Nevada$51,8004,040
Florida$47,32013,220
Pennsylvania$39,5202,290

How to become a flight attendant

BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the usual education for entry, along with some related work experience and on-the-job training[9]. Airlines run the training themselves after they hire you[3][4].

1) Finish high school or get an equivalent credential[9][18]. Some airlines prefer people with college courses or a degree[18]. 2) Build 1 or 2 years of experience in a service job, such as work in restaurants, hotels or resorts[19]. 3) Check that you meet the basic airline rules, which typically include a minimum age of 18 or 21, the right to work in the US, a valid passport, a background check and a drug test[20]. Your vision must correct to at least 20/40, airlines often have height rules, and you may need a medical exam[20]. Employers may also set appearance standards[21]. 4) Get hired and complete the airline's initial training, which usually runs several weeks or a few months at its training center[4]. You learn evacuations, emergency equipment and first aid, plus flight rules and company procedures[22]. Practice flights come near the end, and you must finish the program to keep the job[23]. 5) Pass the exam to get FAA certification[5]. Once you pass initial training, you get the FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency[23]. 6) Keep your certification current by training again for each new aircraft type and take recurrent training every year[5].

If you want to fly international routes, a second language may be needed[24]. Some people also choose to attend a flight attendant academy before applying[25].

In an O*NET survey of 27 workers, 70% said the job requires a high school diploma or equivalent, 12% said a bachelor's degree and 10% said some college courses[26].

Moving up depends on seniority[27]. On international flights, senior attendants often supervise others, and some move into management roles that handle hiring, training and scheduling[27].

What flight attendants do

Flight attendants keep the cabin safe and look after passengers, from safety briefings to meal service to emergencies[28]. Typical tasks include[29]:

Where they work

Scheduled air transportation employed 97% of flight attendants in 2025[30]. Only 0.4% were self-employed[31].

The workplace is mostly the passenger cabin[32]. Long periods on your feet and constant contact with passengers can wear you out, and turbulence, emergencies and unruly passengers add stress[32]. Flight attendants also have one of the highest injury and illness rates of any occupation, often sprains, strains and bruises[33]. Closing overhead bins and latching carts are among the safety steps that help prevent them[33].

Schedules change a lot, and part-time work is common[34]. Because airlines fly every day and overnight, you can expect nights, weekends and holidays[34]. A duty day can last from 4 to 18 hours or longer, and the FAA sets required rest between duty periods[35]. Usually a union contract sets the daily and monthly hour limits[34].

Many nights can be spent away from home[36]. Employers usually pay meal allowances and may arrange hotels or shared apartments[36].

Seniority decides your home base and routes[37]. Almost all new flight attendants start on reserve, which means on call, so many live close to their home airport[37].

Job outlook

BLS projects 8.8% growth in flight attendant jobs between 2025 and 2035, rising from about 133,700 to 145,500[7]. That is faster than the 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[38].

About 18,500 openings are expected each year on average[8]. Openings include jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[8]. Each year about 5.9% of flight attendants leave the labor force and 6.5% switch to another occupation[39].

The projection count (133,700 in 2025) is a bit higher than the OEWS count of about 131,650 jobs[40][7]. The projection includes self-employed workers, while OEWS covers only wage and salary jobs[13][7].

Is it a good fit?

The entry bar is low on paper. A high school diploma and service experience are typical, and the airline provides the training you need[3][4]. Median pay is above the all-occupations median, and jobs are projected to grow faster than average[1][2][7][38]. The tradeoffs are real, though. Expect irregular hours, time away from home, a high injury rate and a reserve schedule at first, with better routes coming only with seniority[33][34][37]. It may suit people who are comfortable with close passenger contact and stressful moments, and who can be flexible about where and when they work[32][37].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[41].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a flight attendant make a year?
The median was $63,580 a year in May 2025, and the average was $77,440[1][10]. The highest-paid 10% earned more than $136,430[6].
How much does a flight attendant make an hour?
BLS does not publish an hourly wage for flight attendants. It reports only yearly pay, since many are paid by the year while working under 2,080 hours[12].
How long does it take to become a flight attendant?
You typically need 1 or 2 years of service work before your first flight attendant job[19]. After you are hired, initial airline training usually lasts several weeks or a few months[4].
What degree do you need to be a flight attendant?
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically enough[9][18]. Some airlines prefer applicants with college courses or a degree[18].
What is the highest paying state for flight attendants?
Among the 19 states with published data, New York had the highest median at $126,650, followed by Utah and California[14].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Flight Attendants in the US was $63,580 per year. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  4. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  5. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Flight Attendants: 10th percentile $35,110, 25th percentile $51,760, 75th percentile $95,640, 90th percentile $136,430. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Flight Attendants is projected to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 133,700 to 145,500 jobs (a change of +11,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS Employment Projections: about 18,500 openings for Flight Attendants are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Flight Attendants: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Flight Attendants was $77,440 per year. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS publishes only annual wages for Flight Attendants, not hourly wages, because many work fewer than 2,080 hours a year but are paid yearly. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. Median annual wage for Flight Attendants in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Flight Attendants jobs: California 15,840; Texas 13,470; Florida 13,220; New York 12,060; Illinois 9,350. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Flight Attendants (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $127,740; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $89,430; Columbus, OH $83,450; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $79,390; Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $64,890; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $63,580; Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT $62,770; Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN $62,120. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Flight Attendants jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 18,030 (median $127,740); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10,080 (median $79,390); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 9,240 (median $62,120); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 8,100 (median $47,320); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 7,680 (median $61,100); Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 6,930 (median $59,500). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Work Experience in a Related Occupation. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. O*NET 53-2031.00 survey of workers (27 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 70%, Bachelor's Degree 12%, Some College Courses 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET description of Flight Attendants. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET task list for Flight Attendants. O*NET OnLine
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of flight attendants in 2025: Scheduled air transportation 97%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: 0.4% of Flight Attendants were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  39. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Flight Attendants: 5.9% of workers leave the labor force each year and 6.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  40. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 131,650 people were employed as Flight Attendants in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  41. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.