by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Airline Flight Attendant involves the study of Airline Flight Attendant. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To The Performance Of A Variety Of Personal Services Conducive To The Safety And Comfort Of Airline Passengers During Flight, Including Verifying Tickets, Explaining The Use Of Safety Equipment, Providing Passenger Services, And Responding To In-Flight Emergencies. Continue reading for the essential details every airline flight attendant major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering airline flight attendant programs.
Nationwide, airline flight attendant is a popular field of study, with 47 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Airline Flight Attendant Schools ranking analyzes these 4 schools to determine the best overall colleges for airline flight attendant students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of airline flight attendant programs later in this article.
Studies in Airline Flight Attendant build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations airline flight attendant graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a airline flight attendant program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a airline flight attendant major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several airline flight attendant degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 6 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 21 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 20 |
People currently working in careers related to airline flight attendant tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 70.3% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 12.3% |
| Some college courses | 10.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 3.5% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.8% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in airline flight attendant careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in airline flight attendant prepares you for a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to airline flight attendant.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to airline flight attendant.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants | 311,580 | 3.7% |
| Flight Attendants | 195,404 | 0.0% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of airline flight attendant graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $54,735 |
| 4 years | $69,369 |
| 5 years | $80,156 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for airline flight attendant graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers airline flight attendant grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants | $52,658 |
| Flight Attendants | $36,135 |
With 4 different airline flight attendant programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased airline flight attendant school rankings to help you.
Students interested in airline flight attendant, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General | 6,327 |
| Airline/Commercial/Professional Pilot and Flight Crew | 2,249 |
| Aviation/Airway Management and Operations | 1,786 |
| Air Transportation, Other | 315 |
| Air Traffic Controller | 189 |
| Remote Aircraft Pilot | 127 |
| Flight Instructor | 30 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
