How much does a passenger attendant make?
The median passenger attendant in the United States earns $37,720 per year, about $18.14 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all passenger attendants earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 53-6061.
Passenger attendant salary range
Pay for passenger attendants spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $27,970 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $46,590. The average (mean) wage of $37,820 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 | $27,970 | $13.45 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $31,240 | $15.02 | |
| Median (50th) | $37,720 | $18.14 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $41,680 | $20.04 | |
| 90th percentile | $46,590 | $22.40 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for passenger attendants (SOC 53-6061), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Passenger attendant salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Passenger attendants earn the most in Alaska at $54,290 a year, and the least in Wisconsin at $24,650. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $54,290 | 220 |
| District of Columbia | $52,730 | 710 |
| Kentucky | $44,810 | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $43,350 | 1,330 |
| California | $43,340 | 2,810 |
| Hawaii | $42,360 | 610 |
| Washington | $41,760 | 900 |
| New York | $41,590 | 3,190 |
| Michigan | $40,250 | 840 |
| Oregon | $39,910 | N/A |
| New Jersey | $39,760 | 640 |
| Illinois | $38,930 | 1,700 |
| Virginia | $38,810 | 70 |
| Colorado | $37,550 | 870 |
| Arizona | $36,820 | 250 |
| North Carolina | $35,740 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $34,320 | 110 |
| Missouri | $34,110 | 480 |
| Maryland | $33,350 | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $33,000 | 500 |
| Oklahoma | $32,920 | 40 |
| Nevada | $32,130 | 90 |
| Texas | $31,230 | 5,170 |
| Florida | $29,680 | 2,590 |
| South Carolina | $28,710 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $27,380 | 300 |
| Georgia | $26,330 | N/A |
| Ohio | $26,220 | N/A |
| Utah | $25,840 | 370 |
| Wisconsin | $24,650 | 330 |
State median wages for passenger attendants (SOC 53-6061), 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 passenger attendants
The BLS projects employment of passenger attendants to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 27,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 28,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 4,300 openings a year for passenger 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 a passenger attendant
The typical entry-level education for passenger 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 a passenger 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 (Alaska, $54,290) and the lowest (Wisconsin, $24,650) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 27,110 people work as passenger attendants in the United States. At $37,720 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Passenger attendant salary FAQ
How much does a passenger attendant make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a passenger attendant is $18.14. The middle half of passenger attendants earn between $15.02 and $20.04 per hour.
What is the highest passenger attendant salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of passenger attendants earn more than $46,590 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a passenger attendant make a year?
The median annual salary for a passenger attendant is $37,720. The average (mean) wage of $37,820 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a passenger attendant a well paid job?
At $37,720 a year, a passenger attendant earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 27,110 people work as passenger attendants in the United States.
Which state pays passenger attendants the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for passenger attendants at $54,290 a year. District of Columbia ($52,730) and Kentucky ($44,810) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a passenger attendant a good career?
Employment of passenger attendants is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 4,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a passenger attendant?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for passenger attendants as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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