What You Need to Know About Flight Attendant
Flight Attendant Definition Provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. Greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages.
What Do Flight Attendants Do On a Daily Basis?
- Assist passengers entering or disembarking the aircraft.
- Announce flight delays and descent preparations.
- Announce and demonstrate safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts, and life jackets.
- Check to ensure that food, beverages, blankets, reading material, emergency equipment, and other supplies are aboard and are in adequate supply.
- Direct and assist passengers in emergency procedures, such as evacuating a plane following an emergency landing.
- Greet passengers boarding aircraft and direct them to assigned seats.
Featured schools near , edit
What a Flight Attendant Should Know
Flight Attendants state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles
- Door and Arrival Attendant
- Flight Hostess
- International Flight Attendant
- Meal Attendant
- Purser
Flight Attendant Employment Estimates
There were about 116,600 jobs for Flight Attendant in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,900 new jobs for Flight Attendant by 2026. The BLS estimates 14,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Flight Attendant are Florida, Oregon, and Washington. Watch out if you plan on working in Idaho, Alaska, or Connecticut. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Flight Attendant
The salary for Flight Attendants ranges between about $28,950 and $80,870 a year.

Flight Attendants who work in Oregon, Texas, or Arizona, make the highest salaries.
How much do Flight Attendants make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Arizona | $65,680 |
California | $51,990 |
Colorado | $47,150 |
Florida | $62,610 |
Illinois | $53,220 |
Indiana | $60,080 |
Massachusetts | $61,610 |
Michigan | $55,310 |
Minnesota | $50,560 |
Nevada | $57,190 |
New York | $48,960 |
North Carolina | $54,190 |
Ohio | $52,760 |
Oregon | $80,410 |
Pennsylvania | $68,410 |
Texas | $58,820 |
Utah | $48,250 |
Washington | $77,450 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Flight Attendants
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Flight Attendants may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- SBS International Maestro Suite
Becoming a Flight Attendant
Education needed to be a Flight Attendant:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Flight Attendant?

Flight Attendants Sector

Below are examples of industries where Flight Attendants work:

References:
Image Credit: Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol via U.S. Air Force photo
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
![]() |
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |