### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Flight Attendants Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                    
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			flight attendants imageFlight attendants provide routine services and respond to emergencies to ensure the safety and comfort of airline passengers.							
						Quick Facts:     Flight Attendants2023     Median Pay
            						$68,370     per yearTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    High school diploma or equivalentWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    Less than 5 yearsOn-the-job Training
                                    Moderate-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    111,100Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    11% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    12,600What Flight Attendants Do
                                                
                        
                        
Flight attendants provide routine services and respond to emergencies to ensure the safety and comfort of airline passengers.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Flight attendants have variable work schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, because airlines operate every day, and some offer overnight flights. Attendants work in an aircraft and may be away from home several nights per week.
            
                                                How to Become a Flight Attendant
                                                
                        
Flight attendants typically receive on-the-job training from their employer and must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for flight attendants was $68,370 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of flight attendants is projected to grow							 11 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 16,600 openings for flight attendants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for flight attendants.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of flight attendants with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about flight attendants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Flight Attendants Do 
            

			Flight attendantsFlight attendants demonstrate the use of safety equipment and emergency equipment.			
Flight attendants provide routine services and respond to emergencies to ensure the safety and comfort of airline passengers.
Duties
Flight attendants typically do the following:
Participate in preflight briefings with pilots to discuss cabin conditions and flight details
Conduct preflight inspections of emergency equipment
Demonstrate the location and use of safety equipment and emergency equipment
Ensure that passengers have their seatbelts fastened when required and that all other safety requirements are observed
Serve beverages and snacks
Sell and serve beverages and meals, if available
Take care of passengers, particularly those with special needs
Reassure passengers during the flight, such as when the aircraft hits turbulence
Administer and coordinate emergency medical care, if needed
Direct passengers, including for evacuating the aircraft in an emergencyAirlines are required by law to have flight attendants aboard aircraft for the safety and security of passengers. The primary job of flight attendants is to keep passengers safe, ensuring that everyone follows security regulations and that the flight deck is secure. Flight attendants also try to make flights comfortable for passengers. At times, they may deal with passengers who display disruptive behavior.
Before takeoff, the captain (pilot) may conduct a preflight briefing with flight attendants about relevant flight information. Details include the number of hours the flight will take, the route the plane will travel, and weather conditions. Flight attendants check that emergency equipment is working, the cabin is clean, and there is an adequate supply of food and beverages on board. Flight attendants greet passengers as they board the aircraft, direct them to their seats, and help as needed.
Flight attendants demonstrate the location and proper use of safety equipment to all passengers, either in person or through a video recording before the plane takes off. They also check that seatbelts are fastened, seats are locked in the upright position, and all carry-on items are properly stowed in accordance with federal law and company policy. They answer questions about the flight and generally assist all passengers, including those with special needs.
A flight attendant’s most important responsibility, however, is to help passengers in the event of an emergency. This responsibility ranges from dealing with unruly passengers to directing evacuations. Flight attendants also are trained to perform first aid, extinguish fires, and protect the flight deck.
Before the plane lands, flight attendants once again ensure that seatbelts are fastened, seats are locked in the upright position, and all carry-on and galley items are properly stowed.
After passengers deplane, flight attendants survey the condition of the cabin. They submit reports on any medical, safety, or security issues that may have occurred during the flight.
 Work Environment
			Flight attendantsFlight attendants make sure all overhead luggage is properly stored.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Flight attendants held about 111,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of flight attendants were as follows:
        Scheduled air transportation
                96%Nonscheduled air transportation
                1Flight attendants work primarily in the cabins of passenger aircraft. Dealing directly with passengers and standing for long periods may be stressful and tiring. Occasionally, flights encounter air turbulence, which may make providing service more difficult and cause anxiety in some passengers. Handling emergencies and unruly customers also may be difficult and stressful.
Flight attendants may spend many nights away from home. Employers typically provide meal allowances and may arrange sleeping accommodations, such as in hotels or apartments shared by a group of flight attendants.
Injuries and Illnesses
Flight attendants have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Common injuries include sprains, strains, and bruises. To avoid injury, these workers must follow safety procedures. For example, they must ensure that overhead compartments are closed, especially during turbulence, so that carry-on items don’t fall and present a risk to everyone in the cabin. Attendants also ensure that carts are properly stowed and latched during emergencies to prevent injuries to passengers and themselves.
Work Schedules
Flight attendants may have variable schedules, and part-time work is common. They often work nights, weekends, and holidays because airlines operate every day and have overnight flights. They may spend several nights per week or per month away from home. In most cases, a contract between the airline and the flight attendant union determines the total daily and monthly workable hours.
On-duty shifts per day may vary from 4 to 18 hours or longer, such as for international flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires specific hours of rest between duty periods based on the duration of a completed duty period. Each month, flight attendants may fly a specified number of hours and generally spend another specified number of hours on the ground preparing flights, writing reports, and waiting for aircraft to arrive.
A flight attendant’s assignments of home base and route are based on seniority. New flight attendants must be flexible with their schedule and location. Almost all flight attendants start out working on call, also known as reserve status. Flight attendants on reserve usually live near their home airport, because they may have to report to work on short notice.
As they earn more seniority, flight attendants may have more control over their schedules. For example, some senior flight attendants may choose to live outside their home base and commute to work. Others may choose to work only on regional flights. On small corporate airlines, flight attendants may work on an as-needed basis.
 How to Become a Flight Attendant

			Flight attendantsFlight attendants take care of passenger needs.			
Flight attendants receive training from their employer and must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Flight attendants typically need a high school diploma or the equivalent and work experience in customer service.
Applicants must meet minimum age requirements, typically 18 or 21; be eligible to work in the United States; have a valid passport; and pass a background check and drug test. They must have vision that is correctable to at least 20/40 and often need to conform to height requirements set by the airline. Flight attendants also may have to pass a medical evaluation.
Flight attendants should present a professional appearance, which may be defined by the employer.
Education
A high school diploma is typically required to become a flight attendant. Some airlines may prefer to hire applicants who have taken some college courses or who have a college degree.
Those working on international flights may need fluency in a foreign language.
Prospective attendants may enroll in flight attendant academies.
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Flight attendants typically need 1 or 2 years of work experience in a service occupation before getting their first job as a flight attendant. This experience may include customer service positions in restaurants, hotels, or resorts. Experience in sales or in other positions that require close contact with the public and focus on service to customers also may help develop the skills needed to be a successful flight attendant.
Training
After a flight attendant is hired, airlines provide initial training that typically lasts for several weeks or a few months. The training usually takes place at the airline’s flight training center and is required for FAA certification.
Trainees learn emergency procedures such as evacuating aircraft, operating emergency equipment, and administering first aid. They also receive specific instruction on flight regulations, company operations, and job duties.
Toward the end of the training, students go on practice flights. They must complete the training to keep a job with the airline. Once they have passed initial training, new flight attendants receive the FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency and continue to receive additional on-the-job training as required by their employer.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
All flight attendants must be certified by the FAA. To become certified, flight attendants must complete their employer’s initial training program and pass an exam. Flight attendants are certified for specific types of aircraft and must take new training for each type of aircraft on which they are to work. In addition, attendants receive recurrent training every year to maintain their certification.
Advancement
Career advancement is based on seniority. On international flights, senior attendants frequently oversee the work of other attendants. Senior attendants may be promoted to management positions in which they are responsible for recruiting, instructing, and scheduling.
Important Qualities
***Attentiveness.*** Flight attendants must be aware of security or safety risks during the flight. They also must be attentive to passengers’ needs in order to ensure a pleasant travel experience.
***Communication skills.*** Flight attendants should speak clearly and interact effectively with passengers and other crewmembers. They also must be able to write concisely when documenting in-flight issues.
***Customer-service skills.*** Flight attendants need poise, tact, and resourcefulness to handle stressful situations and to address passengers’ needs.
***Decision-making skills.*** Flight attendants must be able to act decisively, especially in emergencies.
***Physical stamina.*** Flight attendants push, pull, and carry service items; open and close overhead bins; lift heavy objects; and stand and walk for long periods.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Flight AttendantsMedian annual wages, May 2023Air transportation workers$97,320  Flight attendants$68,370  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for flight attendants was $68,370 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $39,580, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $104,100.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for flight attendants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Scheduled air transportation
                $68,370Nonscheduled air transportation
                68,110Flight attendants receive an allowance for meals and accommodations while working away from home. Although attendants may be required to purchase an initial set of uniforms and luggage, their employer usually pays for replacements and upkeep. Flight attendants generally are eligible for discounted airfare or free standby seats through their airline.
Flight attendants may have variable schedules, and part-time work is common.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Flight AttendantsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Flight attendants11%  Air transportation workers7%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of flight attendants is projected to grow				 11 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 16,600 openings for flight attendants are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Demand for air travel, particularly from leisure travelers, will continue to support employment growth for flight attendants. Federal regulations require a minimum number of attendants per flight. These workers will continue to be needed to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers on flights.
			

                        Employment projections data for     flight attendants, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Flight attendants**
			53-2031
			111,100
			123,800
			11
			12,600
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Flight attendants **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of flight attendants. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Bartenders**
            Bartenders mix drinks and serve them directly to customers or through wait staff.
            No formal educational credential
            $31,510**Customer Service Representatives**
            Customer service representatives interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and answer questions.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $39,680**EMTs and Paramedics**
            Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics assess injuries and illnesses, provide emergency medical care, and may transport patients to medical facilities.
            Postsecondary nondegree award
            $44,780**Food and Beverage Serving and Related Workers**
            Food and beverage serving and related workers take and prepare orders, clear tables, and do other tasks associated with providing food and drink to customers.
            No formal educational credential
            $29,710**Retail Sales Workers**
            Retail sales workers help customers find products they want and process customers’ payments.
            No formal educational credential
            $33,900**Waiters and Waitresses**
            Waiters and waitresses take orders and serve food and beverages to customers in dining establishments.
            No formal educational credential
            $31,940
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about flight attendants, visit the career webpage of any airline company, contact its personnel department, or visit
Association of Flight Attendants—CWA (AFA-CWA)
Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA)
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Flight Attendants
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Flight Attendants, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/flight-attendants.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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