Flight attendants in the US earn a median of $63,580 a year in base pay. The middle half earn between $51,760 and $95,640, and the top 10% earn more than $136,430 (BLS OEWS May 2025). To negotiate, aim for the part of that range that matches your experience — with 3–5 years, for example, $64,000 to $96,000 — and open slightly above it.
How much do flight attendants make?
| Percentile | Annual base pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,110 |
| 25th | $51,760 |
| Median | $63,580 |
| 75th | $95,640 |
| 90th | $136,430 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 — Flight Attendants, national, about 131,650 jobs. BLS figures are base pay including commissions and production bonuses; they exclude year-end bonuses, stock, overtime and benefits.
Where flight attendants earn the most
| State | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $126,650 | $163,750 |
| Utah | $82,730 | $103,890 |
| California | $82,170 | $100,550 |
| Georgia | $78,320 | $98,840 |
| Connecticut | $78,180 | $96,560 |
Pay also differs within a state — big metro areas often pay more. Use your state's numbers when you set your target.
What should you ask for as a flight attendant?
| Experience | Suggested target range | Open with about |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $52,000–$64,000 | $67,000 |
| 3–5 years | $64,000–$96,000 | $101,000 |
| 6–10 years | $76,000–$109,000 | $114,000 |
| 10+ years | $96,000–$136,000 | $143,000 |
The ranges follow national percentiles by experience (25th–50th, 50th–75th, 60th–80th, 75th–90th); the opening number is the top of the range plus about 5%, rounded. Guidance, not a guarantee — check your state and experience, and see how to negotiate salary.
What drives flight attendant pay?
Flight attendants keep passengers safe and comfortable in the air. Pay works very differently from most jobs: it's usually based on flight hours under a union contract, with seniority deciding pay steps, schedules and routes, so negotiation happens mostly through the contract — not one-on-one.
- Hourly flight pay on a seniority scale set by the contract.
- Per diem for time away from base.
- Monthly guaranteed hours and reserve versus line schedules.
- International, premium-cabin or lead (purser) pay.
Your leverage as a flight attendant
- Language skills for international routes.
- Lead or purser qualifications.
- Seniority from a previous airline (rarely transferable, but worth asking).
- Flexibility for reserve or hard-to-fill trips.
- Union participation, where pay is actually negotiated.
Only use leverage you really have. Never invent a competing offer.
Flight attendant objections and how to answer
| They say | You can say |
|---|---|
| “Pay is set by the contract for everyone.” | “Understood. Which steps or premiums — language, lead, international — could apply to me?” |
| “New hires start on reserve.” | “How long does reserve typically last at this base, and what's the minimum guarantee?” |
| “We don't credit seniority from other airlines.” | “Is there any other credit, such as a training bonus or base choice?” |
| “Per diem is fixed.” | “Could I choose a base where my trips include more per diem time?” |
Sample counter offer for a flight attendant
I'm excited about the offer. Before I accept, could you confirm the starting step, the monthly minimum guarantee, per diem and any language or lead premiums? The national median for flight attendants is $63,580 a year, and I'd like to understand how this offer compares in the first two years.
Then stop talking and let them respond.
Asking for a raise as a flight attendant
Raises come mostly from seniority steps and contract negotiations. Know when your contract is up and what your union is asking for; individual levers are premiums, base choice and bidding strategy.