How much does a flight attendant make?

The median pay is $32.27 per hour — roughly $67,000 a year. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a flight attendant?

The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

What does a flight attendant actually do all day?

Verify that first aid kits and other emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and oxygen bottles, are in working order. Announce and demonstrate safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts, and life jackets. Monitor passenger behavior to identify threats to the safety of the crew and other passengers.

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Flight Attendants

Monitor safety of the aircraft cabin. Provide services to airline passengers, explain safety information, serve food and beverages, and respond to emergency incidents.

What it pays
Flight Attendants earn a median of $32.27/hr — about $67,000 a year. (Annual figure is approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Verify that first aid kits and other emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and oxygen bottles, are in working order.
Announce and demonstrate safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts, and life jackets.
Monitor passenger behavior to identify threats to the safety of the crew and other passengers.
Walk aisles of planes to verify that passengers have complied with federal regulations prior to takeoffs and landings.
Direct and assist passengers in emergency procedures, such as evacuating a plane following an emergency landing.
Prepare passengers and aircraft for landing, following procedures.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).

The feel of the work

Much of the work happens outdoors; you're around people constantly; time pressure is a real part of the job; it rewards working independently. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of flight attendants are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are organized and detail-focused, hands-on and people-focused.

Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.

Related careers

Quick questions

How much does a flight attendant make?: The median pay is $32.27 per hour — roughly $67,000 a year. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a flight attendant?: The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: some preparation (Job Zone 2 of 5).
What does a flight attendant actually do all day?: Verify that first aid kits and other emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and oxygen bottles, are in working order. Announce and demonstrate safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts, and life jackets. Monitor passenger behavior to identify threats to the safety of the crew and other passengers.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.