How much does a aircraft service attendant make?
The median aircraft service attendant in the United States earns $40,450 per year, about $19.45 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all aircraft service attendants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-6032.
Aircraft service attendant salary range
Pay for aircraft service attendants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,830 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $57,610. The average (mean) wage of $43,330 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,830 | $16.26 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,740 | $17.18 | |
| Median (50th) | $40,450 | $19.45 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $46,830 | $22.52 | |
| 90th percentile | $57,610 | $27.70 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for aircraft service attendants (SOC 53-6032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Aircraft service attendant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Aircraft service attendants earn the most in Maryland at $71,740 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $30,840. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $71,740 | 240 |
| Tennessee | $56,620 | 580 |
| Hawaii | $53,770 | 290 |
| Washington | $50,520 | 710 |
| Minnesota | $46,930 | 380 |
| Utah | $46,900 | 180 |
| California | $46,800 | 2,300 |
| Alaska | $46,760 | 300 |
| Montana | $46,310 | 170 |
| New Jersey | $46,210 | 920 |
| Kansas | $45,960 | 260 |
| New Hampshire | $45,610 | 60 |
| New Mexico | $45,280 | 220 |
| New York | $44,600 | 1,450 |
| Colorado | $44,500 | 1,220 |
| North Dakota | $44,320 | 120 |
| Massachusetts | $44,190 | 1,490 |
| Arizona | $43,780 | 540 |
| Ohio | $43,310 | 770 |
| Alabama | $43,090 | 400 |
| Louisiana | $42,930 | 660 |
| Georgia | $42,630 | 590 |
| Wisconsin | $42,000 | 90 |
| Maine | $41,400 | 160 |
| Michigan | $41,360 | 230 |
| Nevada | $40,730 | 720 |
| Idaho | $40,250 | 80 |
| Oregon | $39,820 | 470 |
| Connecticut | $39,230 | 210 |
| Virginia | $39,210 | 730 |
| Illinois | $39,070 | 750 |
| Kentucky | $38,850 | 400 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,830 | 800 |
| Texas | $38,720 | 3,290 |
| Florida | $38,400 | 2,340 |
| Arkansas | $38,290 | 110 |
| Delaware | $37,920 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $37,530 | 220 |
| Indiana | $37,390 | 200 |
| Mississippi | $36,710 | 260 |
| Oklahoma | $36,640 | 240 |
| Missouri | $36,610 | 420 |
| Wyoming | $36,360 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $36,130 | 290 |
| Iowa | $35,560 | 160 |
| West Virginia | $30,840 | 30 |
State median wages for aircraft service attendants (SOC 53-6032), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for aircraft service attendants
The BLS projects employment of aircraft service attendants to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 31,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,000 openings a year for aircraft service attendants. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an aircraft service attendant
The typical entry-level education for aircraft service attendants is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an aircraft service attendant earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Maryland, $71,740) and the lowest (West Virginia, $30,840) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 31,300 people work as aircraft service attendants in the United States. At $40,450 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Aircraft service attendant salary FAQ
How much does an aircraft service attendant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an aircraft service attendant is $19.45. The middle half of aircraft service attendants earn between $17.18 and $22.52 per hour.
What is the highest aircraft service attendant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of aircraft service attendants earn more than $57,610 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an aircraft service attendant make a year?
The median annual salary for an aircraft service attendant is $40,450. The average (mean) wage of $43,330 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an aircraft service attendant a well paid job?
At $40,450 a year, an aircraft service attendant earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 31,300 people work as aircraft service attendants in the United States.
Which state pays aircraft service attendants the most?
Maryland has the highest median salary for aircraft service attendants at $71,740 a year. Tennessee ($56,620) and Hawaii ($53,770) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an aircraft service attendant a good career?
Employment of aircraft service attendants is projected to grow 5.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an aircraft service attendant?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for aircraft service attendants as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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