Flight Attendants

SOC: 53-2031 O*NET: 53-2031.00
Median Salary
$67,130
per year
Job Growth
πŸš€ 9.2%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
19.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2

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

What does a Flight Attendants do?

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

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$34,030
10th percentile
Early Career
$52,280
25th percentile
Median
$67,130
50th percentile
Experienced
$98,160
75th percentile
Top Earners
$138,040
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$34,030
25th
$52,280
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$67,130
Mean: $78,950
75th
$98,160
90th
$138,040
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • β€’Salary range spans $104,010 from entry level to top earners
  • β€’Middle 50% earn between $52,280 and $98,160
  • β€’Salary spread is 68.3% around the median, showing high variation
  • β€’Total national employment: 130,110 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:130,800

Top Industries

Air Transportation97.8%
Scheduled Air Transportation96.6%
Nonscheduled Air Transportation1.2%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+9.2%
Annual Openings:19,800

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)130,800
Current
2034 (Projected)142,900
+9.2%
+12,100
Employment Change
+9.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Faster than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Flight Attendants professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 21 locations
California
15,760 jobs$77,8701.03x
Texas
13,180 jobs$57,1701.13x
Florida
11,880 jobs$76,4101.43x
New York
10,430 jobs$128,0501.30x
Illinois
9,230 jobs$62,1201.80x
Colorado
7,540 jobs$61,0503.09x
North Carolina
4,320 jobs$64,1001.04x
Nevada
4,050 jobs$39,7903.14x
Arizona
3,950 jobs$38,1301.46x
Pennsylvania
3,740 jobs$41,5600.74x
Massachusetts
3,580 jobs$68,6501.17x
Virginia
3,120 jobs$62,2800.91x
Minnesota
2,670 jobs$50,7401.08x
Ohio
1,010 jobs$57,1700.22x
Oregon
990 jobs$59,5200.60x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • β€’ LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • β€’ LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • β€’ LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • β€’Faster than average growth expected
  • β€’High current market demand

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Service Orientation
80%
#5
Social Perceptiveness
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Reading Comprehension
46%
#10
Time Management
40%

Skills Overview

Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Service Orientation
intermediate4.0
80%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Speaking

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Monitoring

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Service Orientation

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Social Perceptiveness

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Coordination

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Active Learning

intermediate
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0

Time Management

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Skincare Specialists100%
5 shared skills
Parking Enforcement Workers90%
5 shared skills
Counter and Rental Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks82%
5 shared skills
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • βœ“Speaking
  • βœ“Active Listening
  • βœ“Monitoring
  • βœ“Service Orientation
Learn on the Job:
  • β†’Coordination
  • β†’Active Learning
  • β†’Critical Thinking

Mid Career

Expected:
  • βœ“Speaking
  • βœ“Active Listening
  • βœ“Monitoring
  • βœ“Service Orientation

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • β˜…Speaking
  • β˜…Active Listening
  • β˜…Service Orientation
  • β˜…Social Perceptiveness

Skill Development Tips

  • β€’Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • β€’Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • β€’Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • β€’Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Flight Attendants

Technology Intensity
High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires advanced digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
πŸ”₯

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Microsoft Outlook

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Windows

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Word

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word

πŸ“š Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • β€’Vendor-specific software certifications
  • β€’Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • β€’Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • β€’LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • β€’Coursera - University-level programs
  • β€’Udemy - Practical skills training

πŸ’‘ Technology Skill Development Tips

  • β€’Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • β€’Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • β€’Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • β€’Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏒
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
πŸ’ͺ
Physical Demand
MODERATE
πŸ‘₯
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🀝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT

πŸ’‘Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • β€’Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • β€’Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • β€’Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
  • β€’Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (2)General Responsibilities (15)Documentation & Record-Keeping (2)Management & Supervision (1)Operations & Execution (1)
1

Direct and assist passengers in emergency procedures, such as evacuating a plane following an emergency landing.

πŸ”΄
Daily
Importance:
100%
Planning & Development100% perform
2

Announce and demonstrate safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts, and life jackets.

πŸ”΄
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Walk aisles of planes to verify that passengers have complied with federal regulations prior to takeoffs and landings.

πŸ”΄
Daily
Importance:
96%
Planning & Development94% perform
4

Verify that first aid kits and other emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and oxygen bottles, are in working order.

πŸ”΄
Daily
Importance:
94%
General Responsibilities91% perform
5

Administer first aid to passengers in distress.

πŸ”΄
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Attend preflight briefings concerning weather, altitudes, routes, emergency procedures, crew coordination, lengths of flights, food and beverage services offered, and numbers of passengers.

πŸ”΄
Daily
Importance:
90%
General Responsibilities85% perform
7

Prepare passengers and aircraft for landing, following procedures.

πŸ”΄
Daily
Importance:
88%
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform
8

Determine special assistance needs of passengers, such as small children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.

πŸ”΄
Daily
Importance:
86%
General Responsibilities79% perform
9

Check to ensure that food, beverages, blankets, reading material, emergency equipment, and other supplies are aboard and are in adequate supply.

🟑
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Reassure passengers when situations, such as turbulence, are encountered.

🟑
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

πŸ’‘ Key Takeaways

  • β€’Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
  • β€’33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • β€’Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Flight Attendants

πŸ’‘ Career Planning Tips

  • β€’Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • β€’Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • β€’Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • β€’Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Flight Attendants professionals typically have a CRS Holland code and highly value relationships

CConventional
RRealistic
SSocial

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Flight Attendants

Concern for Others

Critical

Concern for Others

Importance Level4.75

Dependability

Critical

Dependability

Importance Level4.71

Adaptability/Flexibility

Critical

Adaptability/Flexibility

Importance Level4.66

Cooperation

Critical

Cooperation

Importance Level4.64

Social Orientation

Critical

Social Orientation

Importance Level4.62

Stress Tolerance

Critical

Stress Tolerance

Importance Level4.53

Complete Work Styles Profile

Concern for Others
4.8
Dependability
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.7
Cooperation
4.6
Social Orientation
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Self-Control
4.5
Independence
4.3
Attention to Detail
4.3
Integrity
4.3

πŸ’‘ Tips for Career Fit Success

  • β€’While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • β€’Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • β€’Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • β€’Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED

Preparation Level

Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

πŸ“š Education Requirement

Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Training:

Training of a few months to a year

πŸ’Ό Experience Requirement

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • β€’ Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
  • β€’ Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
  • β€’ Industry certifications helpful
2

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Explore educational programs that can help you become a Flight Attendants.

Browse Training Programs β†’