How Much Do Flight Attendants Make?

Even though the aviation industry took a big hit following the pandemic, flight attendant remains one of the most sought-after jobs. Being a flight attendant can be exciting. These professionals get to travel all around the world and enjoy numerous benefits like bonuses, free meals and accommodation, and the opportunity to see the world.  

So, How much do flight attendants make? Understanding the salary expectations for this job can help you determine whether it compensates for the associated challenges. For example, it comes with great responsibility, as flight attendants need to keep passengers safe, secure, and comfortable during flight.

We gathered information regarding the national average salary of flight attendants and provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about this promising career. 

What’s the Average Salary of Flight Attendants?

How much do flight attendants make a year?

The annual average salary of flight attendants is $59,050 per year, more than the national average salary for all occupations. Besides the base salary, flight attendants get allowances to cover their meals and hotel expenditures while traveling. 

Other benefits can include free travel or upgrades. According to BLS estimates, there are 102,500 flight attendant jobs, and the job demand is projected to increase by 30% through 2030. 

(BLS)

How much do flight attendants make per hour?

The hourly wage depends on numerous factors, including education, experience, certifications, and additional skills. Additionally, not all airlines offer the same salary. The average hourly wage in the US is estimated at $38, but it typically falls between $31 and $47. The top earners in the profession make on average $56 per hour, whereas the bottom 10% make around $24 per hour. 

(Salary.com)  

How much do flight attendants make a week?

Based on the average annual salary, flight attendants make $1,153 a week. According to the data provided by ZipRecruiter, weekly flight attendant wages can go as low as $394 and as high as $3,462. 

That said, the majority of flight attendants in the US make between $721 and $1,192 a week. The average weekly pay ranges by $471, suggesting numerous opportunities for increased pay based on performance and experience. 

(ZipRecruiter)

How much do flight attendants make a month? 

The average monthly salary of flight attendants is estimated at $4,998. That said, at a top-earning level, flight attendants can make as much as $15,000 and as low as $1,708 a month. 

The majority of salaries vary between $3,125 and $5,167 a month. The average pay varies by $2,042, which means there are many career advancement opportunities and salary increases based on experience, skills, and location. 

(ZipRecruiter)

What is a flight attendant’s starting salary?

PayScale reports that the average hourly wage for entry-level flight attendants is $20.06. The lowest 10% earn $14.56, whereas top-earners at the same position make $29.42. 

Total annual pay can range between $27,000 and $62,000, depending on individual performance, location, and company. Bonuses can also make a significant difference in the flight attendant’s pay. The average bonus range for this position is between $2,000 and $5,000.

(PayScale)

How do the average salaries for flight attendants scale by seniority?

Seniority is one of the main factors that determine the salary flight attendants make. The longer flight attendants are employed, the more likely it is they will be given more responsibilities like scheduling, overseeing other flight attendants, and recruiting. The salary goes up with seniority level, so more senior flight attendants earn, on average, $40,268, with the top earners taking home $78,000. 

(Glassdoor)

How much money do flight attendants make in the highest-paying state?

Oregon has the highest average flight attendant wage at $80,410, which is nearly $21,500 more than the national average for the profession. In Washington, flight attendants make $77,450, in Pennsylvania, $68,410, and in Arizona, $65,680. Florida, Massachusetts, and Indiana also have flight attendant salaries that are higher than the national average. 

Interestingly, Connecticut doesn’t have recent data about the average flight attendant wage, but as of 2017, it had the highest pay rate for flight attendants, at $85,630. 

(Forbes)

How much do stewardesses get paid with international airlines?

International airlines are some of the biggest flight companies in the world, and as such, potentially pay their flight attendants more. Emirates Airlines is one of the top-paying international airlines. Flight attendants working for the largest airline headquartered in the United Arab Emirates make between $36,000 and $53,000. Furthermore, Qatar Airways pays flight attendants between $23,000 and $42,800, whereas Etihad Airways pays between $25,000 and $32,000. 

(World Scholarship Forum)

How much does an AA flight attendant make? 

A first-year flight attendant at American Airlines has an average base salary of $27,000, which is the highest starting salary in the industry. There are a lot of opportunities to earn by working more trips. According to some estimates, more experienced flight attendants in this company can earn an average income of $43,460 per year.

Additionally, AA offers a lot of options for internal growth and additional perks like travel privileges for both the flight attendant and their family, well-being programs, a 401k program, health benefits, and more. 

(Explore American, World Scholarship Forum)

Which airline has the highest-paid flight attendants?

With an average salary of $51,077, Southwest Airlines has the highest-paid flight attendants. Broken down to hourly payment, they make on average $28 per hour. The company was established in 1967 and is one of the largest low-cost carriers worldwide. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, Southwest Airlines operates in 121 destinations across the US and ten globally. 

(Indeed, Glassdoor) 

What’s the flight attendant hourly pay at Spirit Airlines?

Spirit Airlines is a popular US low-cost carrier. Based in Miramar, Florida, it operates in the US, Caribbean, and Latin America. The company doesn’t pay its flight attendants as much as other, bigger airlines. The average hourly wage is $22 per hour, but wages can go as low as $8 and as high as $55. 

(Glassdoor)

What’s the hourly flight attendant salary at JetBlue?

JetBlue Airways, the seventh-largest airline in the US, is located in New York and has offices in Florida and Utah. It operates more than 1,000 flights daily across the US and also to the Caribbean and Europe. An average hourly wage for flight attendants is $26, but typically, crew members make between $21 and $32 per hour. The salary can go as low as $4 and as high as $77 per hour, depending on experience and seniority level.  

(Glassdoor)

Working at Delta Airlines: How much do flight attendants make? 

Delta Airlines, one of the world’s oldest airlines in operation, pays flight attendants on average $44,848 a year. That said, top earners make $98,000, whereas low-scale earners make $14,000. Delta is among the biggest SU carriers which operate more than 5,000 flights daily. Beyond offering a competitive salary, Delta offers good health insurance and 401k matching. 

(Indeed)

Working at United Airlines: How much do flight attendants make?

United Airlines is the fourth largest airline in the US, but also among the airline companies with the highest-paid flight attendants, offering an average salary of $47,076. Salaries can go as low as $14,000 and as high as $102,000, and the company is one of the biggest airlines worldwide. Located in Chicago, Illinois, it has eight hubs and operates both domestic and international flights. 

(Indeed)

Charter flights: What’s the average pay for flight attendants?

Mapping out the charter flight attendant earnings is hard because they mostly work on their own contracts and salary information isn’t made available. Based on some reports, earnings for charter attendants can range anywhere from $30,000 to $80,000, depending on the experience and company. The paycheck also depends on whether the attendant is working with charter companies or with private clients only. 

(Beyond and Above)

What is a corporate stewardess’ salary?

A corporate or business class flight attendant works on non-commercial, private aircrafts. Generally, corporate flight attendants are paid more than commercial and, in the words of one corporate stewardess, flying one day can make you between $450 and $650. According to Payscale, the average salary sits at $60,073, with top earners making $88,000. 

(Flight Attendant Life, Payscale)

Scheduled air transportation: What’s the average flight attendant salary? 

Scheduled Air Transportation is the regular airline transportation of people, cargo, or property. It offers more regular hours and a predictable schedule for those that want a more routine job. It’s the top industry in which flight attendants work and offers an average wage of $59,220 per year. The average salary in the Nonscheduled Air Transportation industry, which includes charter service and helicopter services, is $57,320. 

(BLS)

Gender gap: What’s the average male flight attendant salary?

Even though flight attendant continues to be a female-dominated profession, the wage gap persists. About 74.6% of flight attendants in the US are women and 21.6% are men. Still, women earn $0.94 for every dollar men make. According to Zippia’s research, if men made $39,064, women made on average $36,618. Some reports point to the gendered nature of work as an explanation for this disparity, stating that men often fill more technical roles in the profession, leading to higher pay. 

(Zippia) (Eurekalert)

Do flight attendants make good money?

Being a flight attendant comes with big responsibilities and a bigger paycheck. They make, on average, $59,050, which is higher than what the average worker in the US makes. More specifically, the average earnings of flight attendants are $6,894 higher than the average American worker. The position is very appealing, especially for young people, as it is quite adventurous and flexible. 

In Conclusion: How Much Do Flight Attendants Make?

Being a flight attendant is a demanding job that comes with a challenging schedule and a lot of responsibility. That being said, it can be incredibly rewarding, offering travel, adventure, and higher than average salaries. 

Wages greatly depend on experience, seniority, location, and airline. The position comes with many perks like free or discounted flights, expense reimbursement, insurance and 401k, and more. Sources: BLS, BLS, ZipRecruiter, ZipRecruiter, Salary.com, Payscale, Explore American, World Scholarship Forum, Glassdoor, Glassdoor, Glassdoor, Glassdoor, Forbes, Indeed, Indeed, Indeed, Beyond and Above, Flight Attendant Life, Payscale, Zippia, Eurekalert.