The main determinants of a flight attendant’s salary range are the employing airline and the person’s level of experience. This article will let you know more about their pay scale and responsibilities.
Flight attendants are professionals from the airline industry who are primarily responsible for making sure that all passengers in the plane are safe and having a pleasant journey. After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the roles and responsibilities of these on board assistants have gone through a major change. Additional importance has been given to safety trainings which include protecting the passengers from all types of dangers or hijackings.
Average Pay Range
Generally, international airlines offer a higher salary in comparison to domestic airlines. The remuneration also depends on the airline, level of experience, and other benefits. More than the basic pay, flight attendants get additional benefits and allowances such as free or discounted personal air travel, discounts on hotels and cruise vacations, overtime pay, family budget travel allowances, and other kinds of benefits. The highest earners in this category are those working in the corporate aviation sector or chartered flights.
The starting salary may seem low, but it increases gradually as you get more experience. The overall pay can also vary according to the city of operation. These workers are also paid hourly, depending on their contract. Normally, the rate ranges from somewhere between USD 15 to USD 20 per hour, but may also go up to USD 50. The average salary is approximately USD 45,000 to USD 50,000 per annum. But if you happen to become a corporate flight attendant, you have the chance of earning over USD 100,000 in a year.
Job Description
The duties of a flight attendant differ from individual to individual within the crew. In a team, each one is handed over a different set of responsibilities. The conventional responsibilities include ensuring that all safety requirements are met, first-aid kits are in place, and that there are sufficient emergency safeguards on board. They also have to make sure that there is an adequate amount of food and beverage items on the flight, for the convenience of the passengers.
As passengers board the plane, they greet them and help in finding their section, seat, and storing the hand baggage. They provide a demonstration on how to fasten the seat belts, what to do in case of an emergency, how to use the oxygen masks, the location of exits present on the plane, and other important information that passengers need to know. Before the takeoff of the flight, they make sure that all the passengers have fastened their seat belts and that the seat backs are upright. If any passenger falls ill during the flight, they have to take the necessary steps to administer appropriate medicines from the first-aid kit. They are also responsible for serving food and drinks as per the requirements of the passengers.
If you want to improve you aggregate pay and benefits, try to get employed in a reputed and well-known airline. As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth is expected to decline by 7% between 2012 – 2022, as this industry is going through some turbulent times with the slowdown in the economy.