Flight Attendant Hiring Outlook
The job outlook is a little more exciting for flight attendants, but there are still plenty of downsides such as irregular and dangerous hours and being away from home.
Prior to the global financial crisis in 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected a steady rise in employment for these workers. Flight attendants have historically been employed by commercial airline carriers. Air carriers are finding it difficult to keep up with increasing fuel costs and decreasing air travel due to the global financial crisis. This has led to a decrease in air travel and fewer flight attendants being needed. Additionally, airlines have been cutting back on work hours for their employees all across the board, including their flight attendant staff.
The average age of flight attendants is currently 40 years old, and many are reaching retirement age. The number of flight attendants needed will grow slightly in the next ten years, but it will not grow at the same rate as previous employment growth. The BLS estimates that by 2022, there will be 3% more air travel and 2% more job openings for flight attendants. This means that the outlook for this occupation is fairly stable and that positions will be available to all those who are qualified.
In 2017, the median hourly wage of a flight attendant was $19.62 according to the BLS . This is about $4 more than the average for all occupations. The median salary for a flight attendant was $19.09 per hour in 2012 and has increased by almost $1.00 from that point. Career flight attendants are paid by experience and on an hourly basis, while most flight attendants do not work a set schedule, but rather must be ready to work at a moment's notice (they can have up to 13 hours of scheduled time). Being a flight attendant requires good physical stamina, a positive attitude, and the ability to be social. You must be able to handle stressful situations. If you are not willing to relocate and are looking for a position in a metropolitan area, then this would be an ideal job opportunity for you.
There is potential for future growth in the industry as more airlines collapse due to rising fuel costs and fewer passengers. Unfortunately, the BLS does not have any statistics on this issue at this time because of how short-term results can make it difficult for them to project the future trends. The job outlook for flight attendants is fairly stable though and allows you to take advantage of available opportunities (provided you have the necessary skills).
Hiring Outlook for Flight Attendants
Jobs in this field are unlikely to be available soon. If you are interested in pursuing a career in this field, it may be best to pursue other options until more jobs become available. Demand for flight attendants is expected to continue steadily throughout the next decade, but not at the rate of the job growth from 2005-2007. The BLS expects that employment of flight attendants will grow slowly at around 2% per year until 2022. Therefore, it's important to pursue additional training or education while you have opportunities available. You should also be prepared to relocate if you want a job as a flight attendant.
The table below shows the job outlook for flight attendants by state.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2016.
Flight attendants in Florida may have an excellent job outlook as the state has a large population and many airlines are based there. However, this is not always the case as some airlines have discontinued their service in several locations across Florida due to rising fuel costs and decreasing air travel from a variety of economic factors. Texas has been losing airline service because of its poor economy, but it is an excellent state for flight attendants if you can get a position there. If you are willing to relocate then Florida may be an excellent option for you because of its proximity to other cities. If you are looking for a job in Texas, you might also consider working for an airline that operates directly between other states.
If your state does not have enough flight attendant jobs available to meet the job market demand, and you do not want to relocate to another state, then continued school is a good alternative. There are currently several universities around the nation that offer flight attendant training courses. You should be aware of whether they offer a dual degree option or just one type of certificate program. If they don't offer or encourage dual degrees then consider going to another university with additional flight attendant training options and perhaps an on-campus placement office. You can also look for training programs online, which are often affordable to those on a budget.
If you are interested in pursuing a career in this profession, it is important to note that there is considerable competition for positions. A large number of people are competing for just a few very limited positions, and you might have to wait before you get one. You will have to be willing to relocate or pursue additional training if needed and want an opportunity in this field right away.
Flight Attendant Job Outlook by State - 2017-2022:
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2016 TOP OF PAGE
In the United States , two major airline companies dominate the domestic market: American Airlines and United Airlines. Both airlines offer perks for flight attendants, including free meals and two-free checked bags on domestic flights. Both airlines require flight attendants to maintain a base salary, although the base salary can vary from carrier to carrier.
If you want to work for an airline that offers flight attendant positions, you should begin your job search early. Even if there is no specific recruitment period or minimum number of positions available at any given time, it is also recommended that you keep your resume on file at several different airlines so that in the event of a sudden flight attendant shortage you will have a set of resumes ready when an opening arises.
American Airlines has the most competitive base pay system (i.e. a certain amount of pay for every year of service), and it is the highest in the industry. You can expect to make anywhere from $15 to over $60,000 annually as a flight attendant. The pay range depends upon many factors, such as seniority, level of responsibility, and length of time spent in the position.
As as an American Airlines flight attendant you are eligible for paid holidays while working at one of their carriers. The airline has over 6,700 mainline employees working across all locations. If you work at American Airlines you will receive a health benefits package that includes medical insurance and dental coverage through group medical or group dental plans provided by UnitedHealthcare.
United Airlines offers an excellent benefits package for flight attendants. The company offers comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family with a choice of plans from UnitedHealthcare. In addition to medical benefits, United flight attendants have the option of enrolling in an optional flexible spending account that allows you to save pre-tax money to pay for qualified expenses.
You will be able to take advantage of financial savings opportunities with American Airlines by enrolling in 401(k) or pension plans through their airline retirement plan. You can contribute up to $18,000 from your salary each year into this plan if you meet the eligibility requirements.
Conclusion: As of 2018, the United States flight attendant industry is growing at a rate of approximately 5.5%. With an annual salary ranging from $15,000 to over $60,000 per year, you can expect that this industry could provide for your needs.
Flight Attendant Job Outlook by State - 2017-2022:
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2016 TOP OF PAGE
According to the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), there are approximately 1.1 million flight attendants employed in the U.S. today. Of these attendants, only around 200 thousand are considered airline employees and the rest work for other employers or on their own in an independent capacity.