Passenger Attendant salary in California
Passenger Attendants in California earn a median of $43,340 a year ($20.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,100 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $37,720. California ranks 5th of 30 states for passenger attendants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 passenger attendants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for passenger attendants in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,480 | $16.58 |
| 25th percentile | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Median | $43,340 | $20.84 |
| 75th percentile | $50,210 | $24.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Average (mean) | $44,840 | $21.56 |
Half of passenger 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 | $3,611.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,805.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,666.92 |
| Weekly | $833.46 |
| Hourly | $20.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Passenger Attendant salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $44,800 | 510 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,580 | 120 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $39,460 | 1,200 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $39,100 | 330 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $37,970 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,680 | 130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $34,750 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for passenger attendants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $54,290 |
| District of Columbia | $52,730 |
| Kentucky | $44,810 |
| Massachusetts | $43,350 |
| California | $43,340 |
| Hawaii | $42,360 |
| Washington | $41,760 |
| New York | $41,590 |
| Michigan | $40,250 |
| Oregon | $39,910 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Parking Attendant | $38,060 | $18.30 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $41,770 | $20.08 |
| Aircraft Service Attendant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Transportation Workers, All Other | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Transportation Inspector | $83,000 | $39.90 |
| Traffic Technician | $79,110 | $38.03 |
| Bridge and Lock Tenders | $72,390 | $34.80 |
| 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 |
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 53-6061. 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 passenger attendant make in California?
The median salary for passenger attendants in California is $43,340 a year, or $20.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid passenger attendants make in California?
The top 10% of passenger attendants in California earn at least $58,100 a year. The top 25% earn $50,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for passenger attendants in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,480 a year, and a quarter of passenger attendants earn $37,060 or less.
How many passenger attendants work in California?
About 2,810 passenger attendants are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.