All About Transportation Attendants
Position Description Provide services to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers aboard ships, buses, trains, or within the station or terminal. Perform duties such as greeting passengers, explaining the use of safety equipment, serving meals or beverages, or answering questions related to travel.
Life As a Transportation Attendant
- Secure passengers for transportation by buckling seatbelts or fastening wheelchairs with tie-down straps.
- Explain and demonstrate safety procedures and safety equipment use.
- Perform equipment safety checks prior to departure.
- Adjust window shades or seat cushions at the request of passengers.
- Open and close doors for passengers.
- Provide boarding assistance to elderly, sick, or injured people.
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Things a Transportation Attendant Should Know How to Do
When polled, Transportation Attendants say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Fare Enforcement Officer
- Chair Lift Operator
- Sleeping Car Service Attendant
- Deckhand
- Dining Car Conductor
Is There Job Demand for Transportation Attendants?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 18,500 jobs in the United States for Transportation Attendant. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,500 new jobs for Transportation Attendant by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,700 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Transportation Attendant are Washington, Michigan, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Tennessee, or South Carolina. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Transportation Attendant
Transportation Attendants make between $19,690 and $46,060 a year.

Transportation Attendants who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or California, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Transportation Attendants in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alaska | $43,160 |
Arizona | $27,700 |
Arkansas | $23,930 |
California | $38,420 |
Connecticut | $28,230 |
District of Columbia | $41,130 |
Florida | $25,320 |
Georgia | $23,160 |
Hawaii | $29,660 |
Idaho | $26,650 |
Illinois | $24,990 |
Indiana | $29,340 |
Iowa | $27,770 |
Kansas | $23,340 |
Louisiana | $24,280 |
Maryland | $25,900 |
Massachusetts | $33,480 |
Michigan | $26,310 |
Minnesota | $37,350 |
Missouri | $30,830 |
Nebraska | $29,330 |
Nevada | $31,440 |
New Hampshire | $24,770 |
New Jersey | $26,360 |
New York | $27,590 |
North Carolina | $22,030 |
Ohio | $29,810 |
Oklahoma | $24,420 |
Oregon | $40,420 |
Pennsylvania | $26,790 |
South Carolina | $30,250 |
Tennessee | $23,640 |
Texas | $21,070 |
Utah | $27,040 |
Virginia | $27,870 |
Washington | $36,100 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Transportation Attendants
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Transportation Attendants may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Microsoft Windows
- Appointment scheduling software
- Time tracking software
How do I Become a Transportation Attendant?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Transportation Attendant?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Transportation Attendants?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Transportation Attendant might also be interested in the following careers:
Are you already one of the many Transportation Attendant in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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