Many people dream about becoming flight attendants. The job comes with many perks, such as free or discounted travel and the opportunity to see the world. But what about the pay? How much can you make as a flight attendant in the US?
Let’s take a look at the numbers.
How Much Do Flight Attendants Make?
On average, flight attendants make $62,280 per year, which is equivalent to $36.37 per hour or $1,454 per week.
US flight attendants earn the most in Connecticut — an average of $111,500 annually. Flight attendants based in Wisconsin have the lowest average salary at $47,650 per year.
As a flight attendant, your salary will be determined by the airline you work for and how experienced you are. On that note, American Airlines provides the highest flight attendant wages.
Newer flight attendants earn an annual salary between $35,000 to $42,000, while more experienced crew members bring in over $122,00 per year.
8 Stats and Facts About Flight Attendants’ Earnings
Here’s a quick rundown of some interesting facts and figures regarding flight attendants’ earnings:
1. Flight attendants make $5,190 per month on average.
(BLS) (ZipRecruiter)
An average flight attendant‘s salary in the US is $62,280 per year, which is about $36.37 an hour or $1,454 per week. The states where they earn the most are Connecticut ($111,500), Hawaii ($104,110), New York ($69,250), Massachusetts ($67,010) and Oregon ($65,550).
2. Wisconsin offers the lowest pay for flight attendants.
(Forbes)
The lowest flight attendant salary in the US is paid in Wisconsin, where attendants make an average of $47,650 per year. Next in line are Virginia ($48,840), Colorado ($52,220), Minnesota ($53,900), and Illinois ($56,700).
3. Delta flight attendants make between $33,000 and $45,000 per year.
(FLYING) (Boston Globe Media)
While the starting Delta flight attendant salary ranges from $33,000 to $45,000 annually, senior flight attendants make considerably more — up to $118,000 per year.
For example, the starting hourly rate for a Delta flight attendant is $30.96. After one year of service, that rate jumps to $32.82 per hour. And after 12 years, it reaches $69.59 per hour.
Delta Airlines flight attendant salary will additionally increase through incentive pay, per diem pay, and special position pay (like being a lead flight attendant).
The company announced that it would also pay its flight attendants half of their regular rate for the boarding window, which ranges between 35 and 40 minutes.
4. Annual salaries for American Airlines flight attendants start at $35,000 and top out at $122,000.
(FLYING)
The average American Airlines flight attendant‘s salary falls between $35,000 and $42,000 per year, while senior flight attendants make a six-figure salary — over $122,000 per year.
In addition to their salary, American Airlines flight attendants also receive a benefits package that includes health insurance, 401k plans, and travel perks.
5. The average salary for an international flight attendant is $47,928 a year.
(CLIMB)
International flight attendants provide customer service and oversee passenger safety during flights. International flight attendant salary ranges between $33,471 and $62,345.
6. Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants earn a base wage of $20.00 per hour.
(Atlas Blue)
Annual salaries for Southwest Airlines flight attendants generally start at $30,500 and can reach up to $62,000. The highest-paid flight attendants earn up to $80,000 per year, while those on a six-month probationary leave make $24.72 per trip.
7. On average, Spirit flight attendants earn $38,146 per year.
(AviaTech Channel)
The starting salary for a flight attendant at Spirit begins at $8.00 per hour (for those with little experience) and reaches up to $55.00 per hour (for senior-level attendants), with the average rate being $22.00 per hour.
8. A flight attendant starting at JetBlue can expect to make $21.00 per hour.
(Future Flight Attendant)
The rate slightly increases (to $23.70) after seven months and keeps rising as you gain more experience.
JetBlue flight attendants have two different pay rates — straight and premium.
Employees on a straight pay scale receive a higher base rate but no premium pay for overtime hours worked. In contrast, employees who are part of the premium pay scale receive 1.5 times the base premium rate if they work more than 70 hours.
Conclusion
So, is the job of a flight attendant well-paying?
Though the answer to this question depends on your “appetites,” most would agree that being a flight attendant can bring you solid income.
As you had a chance to see, the average salary of a flight attendant in the US is $62,280 per year. The lowest-paid flight attendants make an average of $47,650 per year, while the highest-paid flight attendants earn up to $111,500 per year.
Your salary as a flight attendant will depend on the airline you work for and your level of experience (or seniority). So, make sure you do your research well before applying for the job.
The majority of flight attendants are paid hourly. The hourly rate starts from when the aircraft door is shut to when it opens again. This time period is typically referred to as the “block time.” Flight attendants aren’t compensated for time spent in the airport before the flight, during safety checks onboard, or during boarding time. Right out of the gate, flight attendants can expect to earn $25.00–$30.00 per hour on average — though the figure varies from airline to airline. American Airlines offers the highest flight attendant salaries. On average, American Airlines flight attendants make between $35,000 and $42,000 per year. Senior flight attendants earn over $122,000 annually. Yes, flight attendants make good money. In fact, they earn $8,790 more than the average salary in the United States, which is currently $53,490 annually. So, how much do flight attendants make exactly? About $62,280 per year, on average. In addition to their hourly wage, flight attendants also receive a per diem meal allowance whenever they work outside their home base. Depending on the airline and whether the flight is domestic or international, per diem rates can range from $1.50 to $2.60 an hour.FAQs
Do flight attendants get paid hourly?
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Do flight attendants make good money?
