Salary guide
Flight Attendant Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What flight attendants earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median flight attendant salary in the U.S. is $63,580 per year based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $35,110, while the top 10% earned more than $136,430.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Flight Attendant pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,110 | $16.88 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $51,760 | $24.88 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $63,580 | $30.57 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $95,640 | $45.98 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $136,430 | $65.59 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours; BLS publishes annual wages only for this occupation. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $51,760 | $63,580 | $95,640 |
| Per month | $4,313 | $5,298 | $7,970 |
| Every two weeks | $1,991 | $2,445 | $3,678 |
| Per week | $995 | $1,223 | $1,839 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects flight attendant pay
- Licenses and endorsements (CDL Class A, hazmat, tanker)
- Overtime and peak-season premium pay
- Long-haul versus local routes
- Equipment certifications and safety record
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a flight attendant
- Get credentialed: FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency, CPR and AED certification, First aid training.
- Build specialty experience: Hold a regular schedule.
- Move up: roles such as purser or lead flight attendant and inflight trainer or supervisor typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Flight Attendant pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of flight attendants to change by +8.8% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 18,500 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 53-2031 (“Flight attendants”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Flight Attendant salary FAQ
How much does a flight attendant make per hour?
BLS reports only annual wages for flight attendants, because most are paid a yearly salary rather than by the hour. Spread over a standard 2,080-hour work year, the May 2025 median of $63,580 works out to about $30.57 an hour.
How much does a flight attendant make a month?
At the median annual wage of $63,580, that works out to about $5,298 per month before taxes, or about $2,445 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a flight attendant?
New flight attendants often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $35,110 and the 25th percentile was $51,760 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can flight attendants earn more?
Common ways include earning FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency and CPR and AED certification, gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as purser or lead flight attendant.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 53-2031 (Flight attendants).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Flight attendants (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.