Flight Attendant salary in California
Flight Attendants in California earn a median of $82,170 a year, based on BLS data for 15,840 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,290 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $63,580. California ranks 3rd of 19 states for flight attendants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.87 flight attendants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for flight attendants in California
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,130 |
| 25th percentile | $59,230 |
| Median | $82,170 |
| 75th percentile | $100,550 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,290 |
| Average (mean) | $83,000 |
Half of flight attendants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,847.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,423.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,160.38 |
| Weekly | $1,580.19 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because flight attendants are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Flight Attendant salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $89,430 | 4,420 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $79,390 | 10,080 |
Highest-paying states for flight attendants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $126,650 |
| Utah | $82,730 |
| California | $82,170 |
| Georgia | $78,320 |
| Connecticut | $78,180 |
| Washington | $74,090 |
| Michigan | $62,490 |
| Ohio | $62,440 |
| Idaho | $62,200 |
| Illinois | $62,120 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $353,900 | — |
| Commercial Pilot | $165,590 | — |
| Air Traffic Controller | $160,080 | $76.96 |
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $62,600 | $30.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $21.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $28.96 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $31.51 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,600 | $21.92 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $44,730 | $21.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a flight attendant make in California?
The median salary for flight attendants in California is $82,170 a year. Pay ranges from $48,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid flight attendants make in California?
The top 10% of flight attendants in California earn at least $129,290 a year. The top 25% earn $100,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for flight attendants in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,130 a year, and a quarter of flight attendants earn $59,230 or less.
How many flight attendants work in California?
About 15,840 flight attendants are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.