How Much Do Flight Attendants Actually Make?

On every flight, there are a few certainties: a pilot will guide you from point A to point B, you’ll need to go through security on the way to the aircraft, and the presence of a few kind-hearted flight attendants.

Although pilots often receive the limelight in the aviation industry, flight attendants also play a critical role in the organization and safety of every flight.

More than just a custom experience role, flight attendants are required to help maintain the plane's operations, coordinate the flow of passengers, and maintain the aircraft's and passengers' safety throughout the journey. 

In reality, customer service is relatively low on these individuals' priorities. However, compared to pilots, flight attendants are much more modestly paid and frequently organize in unions to help coordinate higher and more consistent pay structures. 

But how much do flight attendants actually get paid?

To start, flight attendant salaries differ between airlines and countries of origin, so there is no international baseline for pay. Additionally, certain factors can improve individual earnings for flight attendants, such as years of experience, higher education, and the ability to communicate in multiple languages. 

Additionally, most flight attendants are paid hourly, compared to a traditional salaried position. Different airports will also pay different amounts, as certain hubs are more strenuous in terms of work and regional differences in cost of living.

As this industry traditionally pays an hourly rate, most carriers accept overtime. According to Indeed, the average pay for a full-time flight attendant in the United States is USD 27.40 an hour, or roughly USD 57,000 a year. 

However, flight attendants often work more or less than traditional 40-hour work weeks, so a fairer estimate is USD 63,000 a year. Entry-level flight attendants can expect to make around USD 40,000, while more senior flight attendants can make around USD 100,000 yearly. 

The average flight attendant's salary has increased by over USD 20,000 since 2010, largely due to union support and inflation.

JetBlue may have the most cancellations of any US carrier. However, it is also noted for paying the most, with the top 10 percent of flight attendants making over USD 103,000. The US carrier with the lowest pay is Frontier, with senior flight attendants making median pay similar to most other carriers. 

It is fair to note that outside of Frontier, most airlines have comparable salaries to one another, leading many flight attendants to choose which one to work for based on convenience, local airport preferences, and tenure of work. The US city with the highest average salary for flight attendants is Kansas City, Missouri, followed by Boston, Massachusetts.

It is important to note that being a flight attendant involves many months of training and shadowing, so the pay reflects continuous learning within the position. Applicants can learn more about flight attendant training programs by visiting the websites of the major US carriers.