Flight Attendant: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Flight Attendants earn a national median of $67,130/yr with 9.2% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Public Safety and Security, English Language.

Median Salary

$67,130

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

9.2%

Faster than average

Employed Nationally

130,110

2024 data

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Flight Attendant

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Flight Attendant candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Speaking 2 Active Listening 3 Monitoring 4 Social Perceptiveness 5 Service Orientation 6 Coordination 7 Reading Comprehension 8 Critical Thinking 9 Active Learning 10 Time Management

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Flight Attendant performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service Public Safety and Security English Language Transportation Psychology

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Flight Attendant roles.

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

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 9.2% for Flight Attendant roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
130,110
Projected Growth
9.2%
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Flight Attendant do?
Flight Attendants apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Public Safety and Security, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Speaking, Active Listening, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness.
How much does a Flight Attendant make?
The national median salary for a Flight Attendant is $67,130 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Flight Attendant a good career in 2026?
Employment for Flight Attendant roles is projected to grow 9.2% over the 2024–2034 decade — faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 130,110 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Flight Attendant?
The typical entry-level education for a Flight Attendant is High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Flight Attendants need?
The most important skills for Flight Attendant roles based on verified occupational data: Speaking, Active Listening, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Time Management. Key tools and technologies include: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.