How much does a flight attendant make?
The median flight attendant in the United States earns $67,130 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all flight attendants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-2031.
Flight attendant salary range
Pay for flight attendants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $34,030 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $138,040. The average (mean) wage of $78,950 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,030 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $52,280 | |
| Median (50th) | $67,130 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $98,160 | |
| 90th percentile | $138,040 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for flight attendants (SOC 53-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Flight attendant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Flight attendants earn the most in New York at $128,050 a year, and the least in Arizona at $38,130. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $128,050 | 10,430 |
| Washington | $103,950 | N/A |
| Connecticut | $86,140 | N/A |
| California | $77,870 | 15,760 |
| Florida | $76,410 | 11,880 |
| Georgia | $76,340 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $68,650 | 3,580 |
| North Carolina | $64,100 | 4,320 |
| Virginia | $62,280 | 3,120 |
| Illinois | $62,120 | 9,230 |
| Michigan | $61,370 | N/A |
| Colorado | $61,050 | 7,540 |
| Idaho | $60,480 | 300 |
| Oregon | $59,520 | 990 |
| Ohio | $57,170 | 1,010 |
| Texas | $57,170 | 13,180 |
| Minnesota | $50,740 | 2,670 |
| Utah | $49,330 | N/A |
| Pennsylvania | $41,560 | 3,740 |
| Nevada | $39,790 | 4,050 |
| Arizona | $38,130 | 3,950 |
State median wages for flight attendants (SOC 53-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for flight attendants
The BLS projects employment of flight attendants to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 133,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 145,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 18,500 openings a year for flight attendants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a flight attendant
The typical entry-level education for flight attendants is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a flight attendant earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $128,050) and the lowest (Arizona, $38,130) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 130,110 people work as flight attendants in the United States. At $67,130 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Flight attendant salary FAQ
How much does a flight attendant make an hour?
Flight attendants are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $67,130.
What is the highest flight attendant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of flight attendants earn more than $138,040 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a flight attendant make a year?
The median annual salary for a flight attendant is $67,130. The average (mean) wage of $78,950 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a flight attendant a well paid job?
At $67,130 a year, a flight attendant earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 130,110 people work as flight attendants in the United States.
Which state pays flight attendants the most?
New York has the highest median salary for flight attendants at $128,050 a year. Washington ($103,950) and Connecticut ($86,140) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a flight attendant a good career?
Employment of flight attendants is projected to grow 8.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 18,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a flight attendant?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for flight attendants as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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