The flight attendant salary in the United States is an average of $44,860. In Canada, it averages between C$24,063 and C$70,505 while in the UK a flight attendant earns an average of 14,824 per year. Over in Australia, flight attendants earn up to AU$41,448 per year. Some flight attendants qualify for bonuses and commissions. Most don’t have more than ten years of experience.
Factors such as location and experience may have a strong influence on salary. Do flight attendants make a comfortable living? If you want the best chance at a good salary, what factors should you keep in mind? This guide will inform you on every aspect that influences flight attendant salary.
How Much Does A Flight Attendant Make Per Year By Country?
| Flight Attendant Salary | US | Canada | UK | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa |
| Hourly Pay | $20.00 | C$21.29 ($16.01) | £10.15 ($12.62) | AU$22.79 ($17.27) | NZ$18.02 ($12.88) | INR216 ($3.24) | R58.40 ($4.21) |
| Annual Pay | $44,860 | C$36,109 ($27,160) | £21,126($26,269) | AU$47,422 ($35,934) | NZ$37500 ($26,797) | INR4,50,000 ($6,756) | R121,478 ($8,757) |
Flight Attendant Salary Influencing Factors
Location, experience, and industry all influence the flight attendant salary. In different states, flight attendants earn varying salaries. Many earn bonuses and allowances. Cities with higher costs of living pay flight attendants more. Flight attendants work for charter companies and commercial airlines. Many companies pay more to flight attendants with a college degree.
Location
How Much Does A Flight Attendant Make in the U.S.?
In May 2015, the median pay for a US flight attendant was $44,860. The lowest 10 percent earned around $25,930 while the highest paid 10 percent earned over $70,000. States such as Texas, Florida, and California are some that have the highest average salaries of flight attendants, being $53,070, $50,770, and $47,490 respectively.
How Much Does A Flight Attendant Make in Canada?
Flight attendants in Canada earn between C$24,063 and C$70,505 annually. This converts to an average hourly wage of C$21.29 per hour. Canadian flight attendants don’t remain with their jobs for a long time. Most move on within ten years.
How Much Does A Flight Attendant Make in the UK?
In the UK, flight attendants make an average range of 11,779 and 30,474. Some also have the opportunity to earn bonuses and commissions. Most UK flight attendants leave their positions within 20 years.
How Much Does A Flight Attendant Make in Australia?
A flight attendant salary in Australia ranges from AU$30,958 to AU$63,887. This converts to an hourly wage ranging between AU$18.33 and AU$33.26 with some earning tips. Flight attendants are able to earn a bonus up to AU$10,342 and a commission up to AU$1,017. Depending on scheduling, some flight attendants report overtime up to AU$46.37.
How Much Does A Flight Attendant Make in New Zealand?
Flight attendants in New Zealand earn between NZ$30,000 and NZ$45,000 per year. They earn an hourly rate between NZ$14.42 and NZ$21.63. Stewardesses may earn a bonus up to NZ$11,000. They also earn allowances between NZ$10,000 and NZ$12,000 per year.
How Much Does A Flight Attendant Make in India?
Flight attendants in India earn a salary between INR 1,80,000 and INR 7,20,000, not including bonuses. Flight attendants may be eligible for a bonus up to INR 1,82,030, bringing the total yearly income potential to INR 9,39,964.
How Much Does A Flight Attendant Make in South Africa?
A flight attendant salary in South Africa ranges from R58,668 to R231,248. Some may be eligible for a bonus up to R18,596 bringing the total income potential for a South African flight attendant to R121,478.
2. Experience
An entry level flight attendant can expect to earn a base salary as high as $51,527 yearly. Wages start as low as $19,280. The yearly salary number doesn’t include benefits such as bonuses or profit sharing. Senior flight attendants can earn a base salary from $28,033 to $82,818, not including benefits.
Many flight attendants do not remain in their jobs longer than ten years, much less twenty. The job is physically demanding and potentially stressful. Flight attendants are able to work with moderate on-the-job training from their employers. A college degree is helpful, but not necessary. Remaining on the job is the only way to gain more experience and potential pay increases.
3. Industry
Most flight attendants work for commercial airlines. Others may work for small charter companies or corporations. Private flight attendants, those employed by charter companies or corporations, earn an average $56,000 yearly. Their salary expectations vary by region. In the United States, for example, they may earn $48,000 in the state of Louisiana, but as high as $66,000 in Washington D.C.
They may earn more in places like New York and Washington D.C. because of higher living costs in those areas.
Commercial flight attendants may earn much more or less depending on the airline and experience level. An entry level commercial flight attendant may earn as little as $19,000 yearly or over $50,000 depending on where they work, education levels, and many other factors. Many flight attendants earn tips, bonuses, and other benefits from charter and commercial companies.
Schedule and Working Hours
Flight attendants have varying schedules due flights going out at all times. They have to work nights, weekends, and holidays. A typical shift is between 12-14 hours but may be longer. Some work on-call. One in four work part-time.
Bonuses and Benefits
In the United States, flight attendants can earn a bonus up to $3,017 in addition to their base salary. They may also receive tips, overtime, and profit-sharing benefits. Flight attendants in Canada are also eligible for tips, overtime, and profit sharing benefits. They can receive bonuses up to C$5,918. In the UK, flight attendants can earn a bonus up to 3,500 and commissions in the range of 241.61 and 7,946.
Flight attendant’s in Australia may earn bonuses up to AU$10,342 and commissions up to AU$1,017. New Zealand flight attendants can earn allowances ranging from NZ$10,000 and NZ$12,000 per year. Flight attendants in India may receive a bonus up to INR 1,82,030 and a stipend during training. In South Africa, flight attendants can earn a bonus up to R18,596.
Flight attendants often receive meal allowances, hotel accommodations, and discounted or free airfare on their airline.
Career Outlook
The flight attendant industry is growing slower than average. Some countries, like India, state that they have many openings and are recruiting flight attendants. Still, the openings are not as prevalent as they would be in the medical field.
Employment of flight attendants is expected to grow only two percent through 2024. With some air companies replacing smaller aircraft with larger planes that accommodate more passengers, they may hire more flight attendants.
Applying to become a flight attendant is competitive. They may favor college graduates. It also helps to know more than one language due to the diverse passengers met on the job. The language needed will vary will location.
Charter companies are growing, giving potential flight attendants more options beyond commercial airlines. Some airports have as many as five terminals dedicated to private planes. Private flight attendants can find more jobs in bigger cities.
Conclusion
Flight attendant jobs are competitive. It helps to have customer service experience to do best in this field. Since the job is physically demanding, many don’t remain with the job for a long time. Many flight attendants value the experience of travel and meeting different people.
