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U.S. flight attendants had a median annual wage of $63,580 in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That is the midpoint across the occupation, not a guaranteed starting salary. An airline’s advertised rate may be quoted per flight hour or another contract-defined unit, so it cannot be compared directly with an annual wage without knowing how much work is paid.
How much do flight attendants make a year?
The BLS reported these U.S. flight-attendant wages for May 2025:
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Median | $63,580 | Half of workers earned more and half earned less. |
| Lowest 10 percent | Less than $35,110 | The lower end of the reported wage distribution. |
| Highest 10 percent | More than $136,430 | The upper end of the reported wage distribution; it is not a seniority cap or a typical experienced-worker wage. |
| Scheduled air transportation median | $63,570 | Median for flight attendants in this industry segment. |
| Nonscheduled air transportation median | $70,700 | Median for flight attendants in this industry segment. |
These are occupation-level wage estimates, not salary offers or new-hire estimates. The BLS also reports a $108,460 median for all air-transportation workers, but that broader group includes other occupations; it is not the flight-attendant median. The U.S. median across all occupations was $50,980. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
What is starting pay for a flight attendant?
There is no single national starting salary in the figures above. Starting pay depends on the airline’s pay scale and contract rules, and a posted rate may be based on paid flight hours rather than every hour an employee is working or on call.
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United’s published rate example
United lists first-year base pay at $38.21 per flight hour effective July 30, 2026. Its table lists $40.53 per flight hour for a second-year attendant and rates up to $100.13 per flight hour. United also lists a $2.00-per-flight-hour reserve override while an attendant is on reserve duty. These are United-specific rates and rules, not industry averages. United flight attendant compensation
United’s contract-pay information describes scheduled annual base-pay increases for attendants below the 13-year level, including multiple increases during 2026. A rate table and progression schedule do not, by themselves, establish an individual’s calendar-year income. Paid hours, work assignments, and applicable contract rules matter. United flight attendant contract-pay information
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Why do flight-attendant earnings vary?
Airline pay scales and contract terms
Each employer’s pay rules matter. For example, Alaska’s 2025–2028 agreement defines trip pay using a trip-for-pay unit (TFP), an applicable step rate, and a pay type; it also sets out premium rates and performance-based pay. That system is not interchangeable with United’s per-flight-hour table. AFA Alaska 2025–2028 collective bargaining agreement
Seniority, routes, and schedule
Pay rates can rise with years of service, while seniority can affect access to preferred assignments. The BLS says home-base and route assignments are based on seniority, and that career advancement is based on seniority. Union contracts commonly set total daily and monthly workable hours; schedules vary, and part-time work is common. These factors shape both the rate an attendant reaches and the amount or pattern of work available.
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Reserve duty and paid time
According to the BLS, almost all flight attendants start on call, or reserve. Reserve attendants may need to live near their home airport because they can be called to report on short notice. Any reserve premium depends on the employer’s rules: United’s listed override is specific to United and should not be assumed for other airlines.
A per-flight-hour rate is not an hourly wage for every hour spent working, and it does not reveal annual income on its own. To calculate a realistic estimate, a worker would need the applicable pay unit and rate, the amount of paid or credited work, and any contract premiums or guarantees. Do not multiply a flight-hour rate by 2,080 and treat the result as a salary; that would assume every one of those hours is paid at that rate.
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Do flight attendants get paid for boarding?
There is no universal answer established by the national wage figures. Boarding-pay rules, if any, depend on the airline’s current contract or policy. The available United and Alaska information cited here does not establish a single rule for all U.S. carriers, so check the specific employer’s agreement rather than assuming boarding is paid—or unpaid—everywhere.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare flight-attendant compensation
When evaluating two airline opportunities, compare equivalent terms rather than headline rates. Check the employer’s current agreement and pay materials for:
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- Entry rate and the unit it pays for, such as flight hour or TFP.
- Rate progression by year of service.
- Any guaranteed or credited monthly work and the conditions attached.
- Reserve rules, reserve premiums, and other documented premium-pay rules, including boarding, delays, language, or lead duties.
- Benefits and travel privileges, considered separately from cash wages.
- The cost of living in the bases where the employee may be assigned.
The available airline examples do not establish a complete, comparable current pay ranking for every U.S. airline.
Allowances, travel benefits, and possible costs
The BLS says flight attendants receive an allowance for meals and accommodations while away from home, but does not quantify those allowances. It also notes that an initial set of uniforms and luggage may be the employee’s responsibility, while employers usually pay for replacements and upkeep. Because the amounts and policies are not established here, do not add a guessed allowance to wages or assume every employee faces the same initial costs.
The BLS also says attendants may receive discounted airfare or free standby seats. Those travel privileges are benefits, not cash wages, and their availability and terms can vary by airline.
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