How to become a chief steward

Official title: Chief steward

Also called: Aircraft's chief steward, Cabin crew manager, Ship's chief steward, Cabin Crew Team Lead/Cabin Crew Auditor, Ÿ Aircraft’s chief steward, Ÿ Ship’s chief steward

Chief steward plans, coordinates and supervises the activities of crew engaged in housekeeping and meal serving on aircraft or onboard ship. He/she receives checks and issues aircraft or ship stores, such as linen, foodstuffs, galley supplies and equipment. He/she may supervise chief cook, baker, mess-room, cabin and deck stewards, if serving onboard ship.

Main tasks

• Greeting passengers entering aircraft or ship, checking tickets or boarding passes, and directing them to their seats or berths
• Announcing, explaining and demonstrating safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts and life jackets
• Assembling and serving pre-prepared meals and beverages
• Selling duty-free and other goods
• Taking care of general needs and comfort of passengers, answering inquiries, and keeping cabins clean and tidy
• Directing and assisting passengers and following prescribed procedures in the event of an emergency, such as evacuating a plane following an emergency landing
• Verifying that first aid kits and other emergency equipment are in working order
• Administering first aid to passengers in distress

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $82,680 a year. The middle half earn $67,572 to $98,592 a year.
• Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Related jobs

• Cabin attendant/steward
• Rail station service assistant
• Ticket inspector
• Tour guide
• Attractions guide

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Questions people ask

How much does a chief steward earn in Singapore?

Median full-time pay is $82,680 a year (Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg)). The middle half earn $67,572 to $98,592.

Will AI change the work of a chief steward?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

• Ministry of Manpower (via data.gov.sg): Resident Occupational Wages (Occupational Wage Survey) (June 2024 (data.gov.sg update 2026-04-01)), Singapore Open Data Licence v1.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
• International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026