Flight Attendants
SOC code 53-2031 · O*NET-SOC 53-2031.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Transportation
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Flight Attendants pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$63,580
a year
Hourly
—
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$77,440
— per hour
Middle 50%
$51,760 – $95,640
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$35,110 – $136,430
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
131,650
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $35,110
- —/hr
- 25th percentile
- $51,760
- —/hr
- Median percentile
- $63,580
- —/hr
- 75th percentile
- $95,640
- —/hr
- 90th percentile
- $136,430
- —/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+9%
Growing much faster than average
130,800
jobs in 2024
142,900
projected for 2034
About 12,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a flight attendant do?
Monitor safety of the aircraft cabin. Provide services to airline passengers, explain safety information, serve food and beverages, and respond to emergency incidents.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to become a flight attendant
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 70% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)70%
- Bachelor's Degree12%
- Some College Courses10%
- Less than a High School Diploma3%
Common questions
How much does a flight attendant earn?
The national median is $63,580 a year. The full range runs from $35,110 at the 10th percentile to $136,430 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a flight attendant without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Is flight attendant in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 9% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking4.1/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Monitoring3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Critical Thinking3.1/5
- Active Learning3.1/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- Public Safety and Security4.5/5
- English Language4.5/5
- Transportation3.5/5
- Psychology3.3/5
- Geography3.3/5
- Computers and Electronics3.2/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination, Time Management.