Flight attendants are essential to air travel, ensuring passenger safety and comfort while in the skies. If you’re considering a career as a flight attendant, understanding the earning potential is crucial. This article delves into the salary of flight attendants in the United States, providing a comprehensive overview based on the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2023.
National Average Flight Attendant Salary
According to the BLS data, the estimated employment for flight attendants nationwide is 126,020 as of May 2023. The mean annual wage for flight attendants in the U.S. is $70,980.
Let’s break down the salary further to understand the range of earnings:
| Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,580 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,690 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $68,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $86,610 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,100 |
This percentile breakdown reveals that half of flight attendants in the U.S. earned less than $68,370 annually, while the other half earned more. The top 10% of earners made over $104,100 per year. It’s important to note that these figures represent annual wages, calculated based on a year-round, full-time hours figure.
Flight Attendant Salaries by Industry
The industry you work in can influence your earning potential as a flight attendant. The BLS data highlights the industries with the highest employment levels and wages for this occupation.
| Industry | Employment | Percent of Industry Employment | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Air Transportation | 122,080 | 25.52% | $71,000 |
| Nonscheduled Air Transportation | 1,770 | 3.04% | $78,690 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | 570 | 0.23% | $68,650 |
As the table indicates, Scheduled Air Transportation is the largest employer of flight attendants, with a substantial 122,080 positions. The annual mean wage in this sector is around the national average, at $71,000.
Interestingly, Nonscheduled Air Transportation, which includes charter flights and air taxi services, offers a higher mean annual wage of $78,690, despite employing fewer flight attendants. This suggests that different types of air transportation services can impact salary levels.
Alt text: Map of the United States showing the employment level of flight attendants by state in May 2023. States with higher employment are represented by darker shades.
Flight Attendant Salaries by State and Location
Geographic location plays a significant role in determining flight attendant salaries. The cost of living, demand for air travel, and the presence of major airline hubs in certain states can all influence wages.
States with the Highest Employment Level of Flight Attendants:
| State | Employment | Employment per Thousand Jobs | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 15,360 | 0.86 | $84,540 |
| Florida | 13,500 | 1.41 | $76,130 |
| Texas | 13,430 | 0.99 | $61,320 |
| Illinois | 10,080 | 1.68 | $67,990 |
| New York | 9,760 | 1.04 | $74,600 |
California stands out with the highest employment level for flight attendants and also offers a high annual mean wage of $84,540. Florida and Texas also have significant employment numbers, but their average wages differ, highlighting regional variations.
Alt text: Location quotient map of flight attendant jobs by state in May 2023, indicating the concentration of flight attendant employment compared to the national average. Darker shades represent states with higher concentration.
Top Paying States for Flight Attendants:
| State | Employment | Employment per Thousand Jobs | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 120 | 0.07 | $111,430 |
| Washington | Estimate not released | Estimate not released | $98,930 |
| California | 15,360 | 0.86 | $84,540 |
| Florida | 13,500 | 1.41 | $76,130 |
| Arizona | 3,370 | 1.08 | $75,500 |
Connecticut tops the list as the highest paying state, with an impressive annual mean wage of $111,430, although employment numbers are relatively low. Washington and California also offer very competitive salaries.
Alt text: Map displaying the annual mean wages for flight attendants across different states in May 2023. States with higher wage levels are shown in darker colors.
Metropolitan Areas with the Highest Employment Level of Flight Attendants:
| Metropolitan Area | Employment | Employment per Thousand Jobs | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 14,550 | 1.53 | $68,430 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 10,030 | 2.23 | $68,100 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 9,820 | 1.59 | $80,400 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 8,920 | 3.28 | $75,860 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 8,390 | 2.12 | $63,350 |
Major metropolitan areas that serve as airline hubs, such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas, understandably have the highest employment levels for flight attendants.
Alt text: US map highlighting metropolitan areas with the highest employment of flight attendants in May 2023, indicating major hubs for flight attendant jobs.
Top Paying Metropolitan Areas for Flight Attendants:
| Metropolitan Area | Employment | Employment per Thousand Jobs | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | Estimate not released | Estimate not released | $99,440 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 4,560 | 1.88 | $92,280 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | 710 | 0.46 | $91,420 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | 320 | 0.23 | $83,660 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 9,820 | 1.59 | $80,400 |
Metropolitan areas on the West Coast, like Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego, along with Los Angeles, dominate the list of top paying areas for flight attendants. These higher wages may reflect the higher cost of living in these regions and potentially stronger union representation.
Alt text: Location quotient map of flight attendant jobs by metropolitan area in May 2023, showing regional concentrations of flight attendant positions compared to the national average.
Alt text: Map of the United States illustrating the annual mean wages for flight attendants across different metropolitan areas in May 2023, with darker shades indicating higher average salaries.
Factors Influencing Flight Attendant Salary
While the data provides a solid overview of average salaries, several factors can influence how much a flight attendant actually makes:
- Experience: Like many professions, flight attendant salaries typically increase with experience. Senior flight attendants with years of service often command higher pay scales.
- Airline: Different airlines have varying pay structures. Major international airlines may offer higher salaries and benefits compared to regional or budget carriers.
- Location: As seen in the data, geographic location significantly impacts salary. Working in major hubs or high-cost-of-living areas can lead to higher compensation.
- Unionization: Many flight attendants are unionized, and collective bargaining agreements often play a crucial role in determining pay scales, benefits, and working conditions.
- Flight Hours and Overtime: Flight attendants are typically paid for flight hours, and opportunities for overtime or extra flights can boost earnings.
- Benefits: Beyond base salary, benefits packages are a significant part of total compensation. These can include health insurance, retirement plans, flight benefits (free or reduced-cost travel), and per diem allowances for layovers.
Conclusion
The median annual wage for flight attendants in the United States was $68,370 in May 2023, with the average being slightly higher at $70,980. Salaries can range from around $40,000 to over $100,000 per year depending on experience, location, airline, and other factors.
If you’re considering a career as a flight attendant, this data provides valuable insights into potential earnings. While salary is just one aspect of career choice, understanding the compensation landscape is an important step in making informed decisions. The profession offers opportunities for travel and customer service, and for many, the benefits and experiences outweigh purely monetary considerations.
Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023.
