Flight Attendant Salary in 2026
Flight attendants ensure passenger safety and comfort during flights, conducting safety briefings, serving meals, and responding to emergencies. They enforce federal aviation regulations.
Median Salary
$63,000
$5,250/mo
Entry Level
$38,000
starting pay
Senior Level
$85,000
experienced
Job Growth
+10%
10-yr outlook
Flight Attendant Overview
Flight attendants ensure passenger safety and comfort during flights, conducting safety briefings, serving meals, and responding to emergencies. They enforce federal aviation regulations.
Education
High School Diploma
Experience
FAA training
Industry
Transportation
Total Jobs (US)
130K
5-Year Growth
+11%
Category
Transportation
Hourly Rate
$30.29/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,250
Flight Attendant Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Flight Attendant salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Flight Attendant Salary
$69,000
$5,750/month · $2,654/biweekly · $33.17/hr
Flight Attendant Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Flight Attendant field.
Entry-level Flight Attendants earn around $38,000, while the top 10% earn $90,500 or more.
Top Paying States for Flight Attendants
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $74,000 | +$11,000 |
| Illinois | $66,000 | +$3,000 |
| Texas | $62,000 | $-1,000 |
| Florida | $62,000 | $-1,000 |
| Georgia | $61,000 | $-2,000 |
Top Paying Cities for Flight Attendants
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $71,000 | +$8,000 |
| Chicago | $66,000 | +$3,000 |
| Miami | $64,000 | +$1,000 |
| Dallas | $63,000 | $0 |
| Atlanta | $62,000 | $-1,000 |
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Flight Attendant Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Flight Attendant from entry level to expert.
$38,000
0-2 years
$62,000
3-7 years
$85,000
8-14 years
$96,000
15+ years
Related Transportation Jobs
Flight Attendant Salary FAQ
Methodology & Data Sources — Flight Attendant Salary
How we calculate Flight Attendant salary data: Our figures combine BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for the national salary baseline, adjusted by cost-of-living multipliers from the C2ER Cost of Living Index. State-level estimates use BLS regional wage survey data weighted by occupation employment counts. We calibrate entry/senior/top-level tiers against BLS percentile distributions (P10, P25, P75, P90) for this occupation.
- National median salary: $63,000 — sourced from BLS OEWS for SOC code corresponding to Flight Attendant in the Transportation sector.
- Entry-level ($38,000) and senior-level ($85,000) figures reflect BLS P25 and P75 percentile wage estimates adjusted for experience.
- Job outlook: +10% projected growth through 2034, from BLS Employment Projections program. Approximately 130K total positions nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 11% over the past 5 years, derived from BLS Employment Cost Index for Transportation sector wages.
- Education requirement: High School Diploma, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State-level estimates use BLS regional CPI-U data and OEWS metropolitan area wage surveys, normalized to the national median of $63,000.
Authoritative US data sources for Flight Attendant compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Flight Attendant job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections — 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index — quarterly compensation trend data for Transportation
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Flight Attendant salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Customer Service, Safety Procedures, First Aid), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · BLS data current as of latest OEWS annual release
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