Hospitality & Tourism

Flight Attendant Salary

Flight attendants ensure safety and comfort of airline passengers during flights.

Median Salary
$63,760
Mean Salary
$68,200
Total Employed
128,900
Job Growth
+11%

Flight Attendant Salary by Experience Level

Entry-level flight attendants earn around $40,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $65,000. Senior-level flight attendants can earn $98,000 or more.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$40,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$65,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$98,000

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Salary Percentile Breakdown

The salary range for flight attendants varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $38,000, while the top 10% earn $105,000.

Percentile Annual Salary
10th Percentile $38,000
25th Percentile $48,000
50th Percentile (Median) $63,760
75th Percentile $85,000
90th Percentile $105,000

Flight Attendant Salary by State

Flight Attendant salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $108,392, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $52,921.

State Median
#1 Hawaii $108,392 Details →
#2 California $87,989 Details →
#3 Massachusetts $86,076 Details →
#4 Alaska $79,062 Details →
#5 New York $77,787 Details →
#6 New Jersey $73,324 Details →
#7 Washington $73,324 Details →
#8 Connecticut $71,411 Details →
#9 Maryland $70,136 Details →
#10 Oregon $70,136 Details →
#11 Colorado $66,948 Details →
#12 New Hampshire $66,948 Details →
#13 Rhode Island $66,948 Details →
#14 Virginia $66,310 Details →
#15 Delaware $64,398 Details →
#16 Vermont $64,398 Details →
#17 Florida $62,485 Details →
#18 Maine $62,485 Details →
#19 Arizona $61,847 Details →
#20 Minnesota $61,847 Details →
#21 Nevada $61,847 Details →
#22 Utah $61,847 Details →
#23 Pennsylvania $61,210 Details →
#24 Illinois $60,572 Details →
#25 Montana $60,572 Details →
#26 Idaho $59,934 Details →
#27 Georgia $59,297 Details →
#28 New Mexico $59,297 Details →
#29 North Carolina $58,659 Details →
#30 Texas $58,659 Details →
#31 Wisconsin $58,659 Details →
#32 Wyoming $58,659 Details →
#33 Louisiana $58,022 Details →
#34 Indiana $57,384 Details →
#35 Michigan $57,384 Details →
#36 Nebraska $57,384 Details →
#37 North Dakota $57,384 Details →
#38 Ohio $57,384 Details →
#39 Iowa $56,746 Details →
#40 South Carolina $56,746 Details →
#41 Tennessee $56,746 Details →
#42 Missouri $56,109 Details →
#43 South Dakota $56,109 Details →
#44 Alabama $55,471 Details →
#45 Kansas $55,471 Details →
#46 Kentucky $55,471 Details →
#47 Oklahoma $54,834 Details →
#48 Arkansas $53,558 Details →
#49 West Virginia $53,558 Details →
#50 Mississippi $52,921 Details →

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Key Responsibilities

  • ● Conduct safety demonstrations
  • ● Serve passengers
  • ● Respond to emergencies
  • ● Administer first aid
  • ● Ensure FAA compliance

Top Skills

Safety Procedures Customer Service First Aid/CPR Conflict Resolution Cultural Awareness Communication

Education Required

High school diploma

Job Outlook

Much faster than average — projected 11% growth over the next decade

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Frequently Asked Questions About Flight Attendant Salaries

How much does a Flight Attendant make per year? ▼
The median flight attendant salary in the United States is $63,760 per year. Entry-level positions start around $40,000, while senior-level professionals earn up to $98,000 annually. The mean (average) salary is $68,200.
How much does a Flight Attendant make per hour? ▼
Based on the national median salary of $63,760 per year, a flight attendant earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Hourly rates vary by experience, location, and employer.
What is the highest paying state for flight attendants? ▼
Hawaii is the highest paying state for flight attendants, with a median salary of $108,392. Other top-paying states include California ($87,989) and Massachusetts ($86,076).
What education do you need to become a flight attendant? ▼
Most flight attendant positions require a high school diploma. Key skills include Safety Procedures, Customer Service, First Aid/CPR, Conflict Resolution. Relevant certifications and hands-on experience can also strengthen your qualifications.
What is the job outlook for flight attendants? ▼
Employment for flight attendants is projected to grow 11% over the next decade, which is much faster than average. There are currently 128,900 flight attendants employed in the United States.
How much does an entry-level flight attendant make? ▼
An entry-level flight attendant with 0-2 years of experience earns around $40,000 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to approximately $65,000. The bottom 10% of earners make $38,000, while the top 10% earn $105,000.