How Much Does a Flight Attendant Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$63,580
Flight attendants in the U.S. earn a median of $63,580 a year. Half of flight attendants earn more than $63,580 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $136,430.
Pay percentiles for flight attendants
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,110 |
| 25th | $51,760 |
| 50th (median) | $63,580 |
| 75th | $95,640 |
| 90th | $136,430 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Flight Attendants (SOC 53-2031). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
BLS reports only annual wages for flight attendants, because most are paid a yearly salary and often work a school or contract year rather than 2,080 hours. We do not convert these figures to an hourly rate.
Highest-paying states for flight attendants
| State | Median annual | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $126,650 | +99% |
| Utah | $82,730 | +30% |
| California | $82,170 | +29% |
| Georgia | $78,320 | +23% |
| Connecticut | $78,180 | +23% |
| Washington | $74,090 | +17% |
| Michigan | $62,490 | −2% |
| Ohio | $62,440 | −2% |
| Idaho | $62,200 | −2% |
| Illinois | $62,120 | −2% |
| United States | $63,580 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many flight attendants are there?
BLS counts about 131,650 flight attendants employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (15,840), Texas (13,470) and Florida (13,220).
The mean (average) annual wage is $77,440, higher than the median of $63,580.
Frequently asked questions
How much do flight attendants make an hour?
BLS publishes only annual wages for flight attendants, because most are paid a salary and work fewer than 2,080 hours a year. The median annual wage is $63,580.
Which state pays flight attendants the most?
New York has the highest median wage for flight attendants at $126,650, +99% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for flight attendants?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of flight attendants earn less than $35,110 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.