Flight attendants
SOC Code: 53-2031Also known as:
Aircraft Cabin Agent, Airline Attendant, Airline Flight Attendant, Airline Hostess, Airline Stewardess
Median Annual Salary
$67,130
+9.2% growth (2024-2034)
20K
Openings/Year
131K
Current Jobs
What 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.
💰 Salary
$67,130
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+9.2%
Much faster than average
🎓 Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
20K
Projected average per year
👔 Work Experience
Less than 5 years
Required before entry
📚 On-the-Job Training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
130,800
Projected Employment (2034)
142,900
Related Careers
Baggage porters and bellhops
$36,020 •
-1.6% growth
Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
$41,460 •
+2.8% growth
Airfield operations specialists
$56,750 •
+4.2% growth
Passenger attendants
$37,560 •
+4.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Speaking
Active Listening
Monitoring
Social Perceptiveness
Service Orientation
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- 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.
- Administer first aid to passengers in distress.
- Determine special assistance needs of passengers, such as small children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.
- Attend preflight briefings concerning weather, altitudes, routes, emergency procedures, crew coordination, lengths of flights, food and beverage services offered, and numbers of passengers.
- Reassure passengers when situations, such as turbulence, are encountered.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
High School Diploma
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Flight attendants
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a flight attendants:
Airline Flight Attendant
47 degrees awarded •
4 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Flight attendants
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become flight attendants.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cypress College | Cypress, CA | 25 | C+ |
| 2 | Orange Coast College | Costa Mesa, CA | 10 | C+ |
| 3 | Sinclair Community College | Dayton, OH | 9 | C+ |
| 4 | Glendale Community College | Glendale, CA | 3 | C |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make?
The median annual salary for flight attendants is $67,130.
What education do flight attendants need?
Most flight attendants positions require a high school diploma or equivalent.
Common degree programs include Airline Flight Attendant.
Is becoming flight attendants a good career choice?
Flight attendants is projected to see +9.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 19,800 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for flight attendants?
Top colleges for aspiring flight attendants include
Cypress College, Orange Coast College, Sinclair Community College, Glendale Community College.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to flight attendants?
Flight attendants may also be known as: Aircraft Cabin Agent, Airline Attendant, Airline Flight Attendant, Airline Hostess, Airline Stewardess, Airplane Flight Attendant, Cabin Attendant, Door and Arrival Attendant, Flight Attendant, Flight Crew, Flight Crew Member, Flight Hostess, Flight Steward, In-Flight Crew Member, Inflight Services Flight Attendant, International Flight Attendant, Meal Attendant, Purser, Ramp Flight Attendant.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.