Passenger attendants
SOC Code: 53-6061
Passenger attendants carries a 42% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $37,560 and +4.7% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 25,600 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 42% AI exposure, Passenger attendants sits 5 points above the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 73% of them. Most of its core tasks still require human judgment.
Where Passenger attendants sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Passenger attendants has ai exposure of 42%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Passenger attendants vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Passenger attendants is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Passenger attendants (SOC 53-6061) carries an AI exposure score of 42%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 25,600 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +4.7% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $37,560, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Passenger attendants. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Secure passengers for transportation by buckling seatbelts or fastening wheelchairs with tie-down straps.
- 2. Provide customers with information on routes, gates, prices, timetables, terminals, or concourses.
- 3. Perform equipment safety checks prior to departure.
- 4. Provide boarding assistance to elderly, sick, or injured people.
- 5. Respond to passengers' questions, requests, or complaints.
- 6. Greet passengers boarding transportation equipment and announce routes and stops.
- 7. Count and verify tickets and seat reservations and record numbers of passengers boarding and disembarking.
- 8. Explain and demonstrate safety procedures and safety equipment use.
- 9. Open and close doors for passengers.
- 10. Determine or facilitate seating arrangements.
Key Skills Required
- Service Orientation
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Coordination
- Persuasion
- Critical Thinking
- Negotiation
Knowledge Areas
- Transportation
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Public Safety and Security
- Psychology
- Administration and Management
- Telecommunications
- Administrative
- Foreign Language
- Personnel and Human Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Passenger attendants?
Passenger attendants has an AI exposure score of 42%, indicating a high level of automation risk. Some tasks in this role can be augmented or partially automated by AI, but core responsibilities require human judgment.
What is the job outlook for Passenger attendants?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Passenger attendants is projected to grow by 4.7% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 25,600 workers.
What skills are needed for Passenger attendants?
Key skills for Passenger attendants include Service Orientation, Active Listening, Speaking, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Passenger attendants earn?
The median annual wage for Passenger attendants is $37,560, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Passenger attendants?
The typical entry-level education for Passenger attendants is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Passenger attendants?
Passenger attendants roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
Related Occupations
Career Guides
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).