Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Passenger attendants support travelers and help keep passenger experiences running smoothly. This role offers a national median annual salary of $37,560 and national employment of about 26,000, showing that it is a well-established occupation. Projected employment growth of 4.7% and about 4,000 annual openings suggest steady movement in the job market, creating options for both new entrants and experienced workers. A high school diploma or equivalent is the typical educational requirement, making this a relatively accessible path for people who want to work directly with the public. Strong interpersonal, speaking and listening, and customer service skills are central to success, supported by physical strength and stamina. Passenger attendants also draw on adaptability, mechanical and fine motor abilities, as well as science, mathematics, and critical and analytical thinking. For those considering alternatives in related areas of service and support, nearby options include locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants; ushers, lobby attendants, and ticket takers; crematory operators; funeral attendants; and waiters and waitresses.
The national median annual salary for passenger attendants is $37,560, with notable variation by state and metro area. Among the highlighted states, California and Massachusetts show similar median salaries of $43,340 and $43,350, while New York follows at $41,590. Washington’s median salary is $41,760, and Colorado is closest to the national figure at $37,550. At the metro level, several areas stand out with higher median pay. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro has the highest listed median salary at $49,190. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is next at $44,800, with San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $43,580 and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH at $43,350. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro matches the New York state median at $41,590. These differences show that location choices can significantly shape earnings potential within this field.
Passenger attendants have national employment of about 26,000, with projected employment growth of 4.7%. This growth rate applies consistently across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating a similar projected pace of change in different locations. About 4,000 annual openings are expected, which reflects ongoing opportunities for new workers as well as movement within the occupation. Together, the existing employment base, projected growth, and annual openings suggest a labor market that regularly needs new passenger attendants. People entering the field can consider both the current employment levels and this projected 4.7% increase when planning their career paths. The presence of this occupation across multiple states and major metro areas also means job seekers can align their search with preferred locations while still taking into account employment totals, salary levels, and opportunity scores in each area.
Location plays a significant role in opportunity for passenger attendants. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York combine relatively higher median salaries—$43,340, $43,350, and $41,590—with the highest listed employment levels of 2,810, 1,330, and 3,190, respectively. These states also share a projected growth rate of 4.7% and have some of the strongest CareerGPS opportunity scores, led by California at 67.38. Washington and Colorado show more moderate employment levels (900 and 870) and opportunity scores (56.29 and 56.97), with median salaries of $41,760 and $37,550. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores, at 77.42 and 77.27. The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro offers the highest listed median salary at $49,190. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also pair solid employment figures with opportunity scores above 60, giving job seekers multiple strong urban choices.
Passenger attendant roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, making this field accessible to individuals without advanced degrees. Within that educational framework, skills play a major role in employability and advancement. Interpersonal skills, customer service, and strong speaking and listening abilities are central, reflecting the need to interact effectively with passengers and colleagues. Physical strength and stamina are also important, as the work can be physically demanding. Beyond these, the skill profile includes adaptability, mechanical and fine motor skills, as well as science and mathematics, which may support problem-solving and task accuracy. Critical and analytical thinking rounds out the skill set, helping attendants assess situations and make sound decisions. Together, these abilities give candidates with a high school education a clear roadmap for developing the competencies that matter most in this occupation, and they can guide personal development, training choices, and interview preparation for those pursuing passenger attendant positions.
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