$Who Earns What

How much does a passenger attendant make?

US Passenger Attendants

Answer: A typical passenger attendant in the United States makes $37,720 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US
$37,720

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 27,000 people work in this job. Below the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner
$27,970
10th from the bottom of 100
Typical person
$37,720
Right in the middle (median)
Higher earner
$46,590
10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

35 of 100
not many

Passenger attendant pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

Passenger attendant pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$27,970$37,720$46,590about 27,000
States where passenger attendants earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
District of Columbia$52,730about 710
Massachusetts$43,350about 1,000
California$43,340about 3,000
Hawaii$42,360about 610
Washington$41,760about 900

Why does pay differ?

In the U.S., pay differs by setting—such as bus service, sightseeing boats, or government work—and by state or city. Experience, useful skills, and extra credentials may matter too.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US
Whole US$37,720
District of Columbia$52,730
Massachusetts$43,350
California$43,340
Hawaii$42,360
Washington$41,760
Pennsylvania$33,000
Texas$31,230
Florida$29,680

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a passenger attendant do?

Provide services to ensure the safety of passengers aboard ships, buses, trains, or within the station or terminal. Perform duties such as explaining the use of safety equipment, serving meals or beverages, or answering questions related to travel. Excludes “Baggage Porters and Bellhops” (39-6011) and “Flight Attendants” (53-2031).

What's a typical day like?

Before a trip, they check safety equipment, help riders board, secure wheelchairs, and guide people to seats. During a trip or at the terminal, they answer travel questions, announce stops, and help passengers who need extra assistance.

How to get this job

A high school diploma or GED is the usual starting point in the U.S.; apply to a bus, rail, ship, or terminal employer, and related experience is not typically required. New hires learn safety checks and passenger help through short-term on-the-job training.

High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)

Good for people who like keeping things organized and helping and teaching.

Did you know?

Surprise: U.S. job statistics count airline flight attendants as a separate occupation; passenger attendants work on ships, buses, trains, or in stations and terminals.

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Sources and data

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY