Air Transportation Workers

How to become a Flight Attendant

Official title: Flight Attendants

Also called: Flight Attendant, In-Flight Crew Member, Inflight Services Flight Attendant, International Flight Attendant, Purser

Monitor safety of the aircraft cabin. Provide services to airline passengers, explain safety information, serve food and beverages, and respond to emergency incidents.

Main tasks

Verify that first aid kits and other emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and oxygen bottles, are in working order.
Announce and demonstrate safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts, and life jackets.
Monitor passenger behavior to identify threats to the safety of the crew and other passengers.
Walk aisles of planes to verify that passengers have complied with federal regulations prior to takeoffs and landings.
Direct and assist passengers in emergency procedures, such as evacuating a plane following an emergency landing.
Prepare passengers and aircraft for landing, following procedures.
Administer first aid to passengers in distress.
Determine special assistance needs of passengers, such as small children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities.

How to become one

Flight attendants typically receive on-the-job training from their employer and must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: $63,580 a year The middle half earn $51,760 to $95,640.
About 133,700 people work in this job now, and about 145,500 are projected by 2035. (+8.8%)
People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Questions people ask

How do I become a Flight Attendant?

Flight attendants typically receive on-the-job training from their employer and must be certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

How much does a Flight Attendant earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $63,580 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $51,760 to $95,640.

Is a Flight Attendant a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 9% by 2035, from about 133,700 to about 145,500 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Flight Attendant?

Not always. 42% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Flight Attendant?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.