Passenger Attendant Salary
Passenger Attendants earn a median $37,720 a year nationally. Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
What passenger attendants do
Provide services to ensure the safety of passengers aboard ships, buses, trains, or within the station or terminal. Perform duties such as explaining the use of safety equipment, serving meals or beverages, or answering questions related to travel.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.0% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 4,300
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of passenger attendants is projected to grow 6.0% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 4,300 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Passenger Attendant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,346
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,339
- Medicare (1.45%)$547
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$32,488
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,970 | $13.45 | $24,643 |
| 25th percentile | $31,240 | $15.02 | $27,281 |
| Median (50th) | $37,720 | $18.13 | $32,488 |
| 75th percentile | $41,680 | $20.04 | $35,670 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,590 | $22.40 | $39,615 |
Best cities for passenger attendants (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $41,590 | $33,949 | $30,160 | 3,410 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $41,590
Passenger Attendant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $54,290 | +0.0% | $45,802 | $39,090 – $54,290 | 220 |
| District of Columbia | $52,730 | +0.0% | $42,551 | $41,480 – $54,810 | 710 |
| Kentucky | $44,810 | +1.8% | $36,734 | $37,290 – $44,820 | — |
| Massachusetts | $43,350 | +21.5% | $35,064 | $35,200 – $45,310 | 1,330 |
| California | $43,340 | +6.0% | $35,717 | $34,480 – $58,100 | 2,810 |
| Hawaii | $42,360 | +1.4% | $34,482 | $30,640 – $52,210 | 610 |
| Washington | $41,760 | −8.1% | $35,734 | $39,700 – $46,680 | 900 |
| New York | $41,590 | +2.8% | $33,949 | $35,910 – $42,990 | 3,190 |
| Michigan | $40,250 | +2.7% | $33,061 | $38,820 – $41,100 | 840 |
| Oregon | $39,910 | +1.8% | $31,585 | $33,100 – $43,010 | — |
| New Jersey | $39,760 | +1.7% | $33,453 | $39,610 – $43,570 | 640 |
| Illinois | $38,930 | +33.7% | $31,678 | $31,480 – $38,930 | 1,700 |
| Virginia | $38,810 | +35.7% | $31,946 | $25,820 – $57,450 | 70 |
| Colorado | $37,550 | +3.2% | $31,408 | $36,700 – $45,440 | 870 |
| Arizona | $36,820 | +2.6% | $31,053 | $34,190 – $40,100 | 250 |
| North Carolina | $35,740 | +17.2% | $29,980 | $30,630 – $53,970 | 110 |
| Connecticut | $34,320 | −6.2% | $29,137 | $34,320 – $50,010 | 110 |
| Missouri | $34,110 | +1.8% | $28,922 | $30,830 – $37,630 | 480 |
| Maryland | $33,350 | −8.1% | $27,756 | $32,490 – $37,530 | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $33,000 | +3.0% | $27,682 | $32,210 – $41,200 | 500 |
| Oklahoma | $32,920 | +2.0% | $27,695 | $26,270 – $37,120 | 40 |
| Nevada | $32,130 | +2.5% | $27,996 | $27,040 – $40,230 | 90 |
| Texas | $31,230 | +3.0% | $27,273 | $28,290 – $35,700 | 5,170 |
| Florida | $29,680 | −23.5% | $26,028 | $27,390 – $43,780 | 2,590 |
| South Carolina | $28,710 | +6.2% | $24,683 | $26,670 – $48,100 | 120 |
| Tennessee | $27,380 | +2.5% | $24,157 | $21,960 – $37,080 | 300 |
| Georgia | $26,330 | −31.5% | $22,549 | $23,970 – $42,430 | — |
| Ohio | $26,220 | — | $23,202 | $25,320 – $55,270 | — |
| Utah | $25,840 | −23.5% | $22,692 | $24,170 – $30,630 | 370 |
| Wisconsin | $24,650 | −22.0% | $21,560 | $20,850 – $64,180 | 330 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant | $35,670 | No formal educational credential | +3.8% |
| Parking Attendant | $35,150 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $40,450 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.6% |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $45,650 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $57,700 | High school diploma or equivalent | -2.3% |
| Traffic Technician | $59,090 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.0% |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,100 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.2% |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $37,330 | No formal educational credential | +8.9% |
| Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur | $37,290 | No formal educational credential | +7.1% |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $37,180 | No formal educational credential | +2.8% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a passenger attendant make?
The national median salary for passenger attendants is $37,720 a year ($18.13 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,970 and the top 10% earn over $46,590. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays passenger attendants the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $54,290. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many passenger attendants are there in the U.S.?
About 27,110 people work as passenger attendants nationwide.