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
$63,580
$5,298/mo
Entry Level
$38,300
starting pay
Senior Level
$85,800
experienced
Job Growth
+10%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Flight Attendants (SOC 53-2031) at a national median of $63,580 per year (mean $77,440), with 131,650 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
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)
132K
5-Year Growth
+11%
Category
Transportation
Hourly Rate
$30.57/hr
Monthly Pay
$5,298
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
$70,000
$5,833/month · $2,692/biweekly · $33.65/hr
Flight Attendant Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Flight Attendant field.
Entry-level Flight Attendants earn around $38,300, while the top 10% earn $91,350 or more.
Top Paying States for Flight Attendants
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $75,000 | +$11,420 |
| Illinois | $66,000 | +$2,420 |
| Texas | $62,000 | $-1,580 |
| Georgia | $62,000 | $-1,580 |
| Florida | $62,000 | $-1,580 |
Top Paying Cities for Flight Attendants
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $79,390 | +$15,810 |
| Chicago | $67,000 | +$3,420 |
| Dallas | $64,000 | +$420 |
| Atlanta | $62,000 | $-1,580 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $47,320 | $-16,260 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Flight Attendants in that city's metropolitan statistical area (2 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Flight Attendant Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Flight Attendant.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Flight Attendant Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Flight Attendant from entry level to expert.
$38,300
0-2 years
$62,000
3-7 years
$85,800
8-14 years
$96,900
15+ years
Related Transportation Jobs
Flight Attendant Salary FAQ
How much does a Flight Attendant make in 2026?
The median salary for a Flight Attendant in the United States is $63,580 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Flight Attendants (SOC 53-2031); the mean is $77,440. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $38,300, senior professionals around $85,800, and top earners at $96,900 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Flight Attendant?
A Flight Attendant typically requires a High School Diploma with FAA training of experience. Key skills include Customer Service, Safety Procedures, First Aid. Relevant certifications such as FAA Certification or CPR/AED can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Flight Attendants?
The job market for Flight Attendants is projected to grow by 10% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 132K Flight Attendant positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 11%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Flight Attendants the most?
The highest-paying states for Flight Attendants include Texas, Georgia, Illinois. In Texas, the median salary is approximately $62,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Flight Attendant salary?
To increase your Flight Attendant salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Customer Service and Safety Procedures. Pursue certifications such as FAA Certification. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Dallas. With FAA training of experience, you can progress from $38,300 to $85,800 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Flight Attendant Salary
How we calculate Flight Attendant salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Flight Attendants (SOC 53-2031), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $63,580, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Flight Attendants; BLS mean $77,440.
- Entry-level ($38,300) and senior-level ($85,800) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +10% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 131,650 Flight Attendants jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 11% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Transportation sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: High School Diploma, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $63,580; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
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 Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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