Transportation and material moving
Passenger attendant
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.
Median pay
$37,720
Growth to 2035
+6%
faster than average
Openings a year
4,300
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Passenger attendant
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Passenger attendant: 37% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Perform equipment safety checks prior to departure.
- Explain and demonstrate safety procedures and safety equipment use.
- Signal transportation operators to stop or to proceed.
- Secure passengers for transportation by buckling seatbelts or fastening wheelchairs with tie-down straps.
- Respond to passengers' questions, requests, or complaints.
- Determine or facilitate seating arrangements.
- Open and close doors for passengers.
- Greet passengers boarding transportation equipment and announce routes and stops.
Also called: Attendant · Bus Aide · Bus Assistant · Bus Attendant · Bus Monitor · Cabin Attendant · Fare Enforcement Officer · Transportation Aide
Outlook and AI
Passenger attendants held 27,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 28,900 by 2035 (+6%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Passenger attendant vs. Flight attendant
- Passenger attendant vs. Baggage porters and bellhops
- Passenger attendant vs. Reservation and transportation ticket agents and travel clerks
- Passenger attendant vs. Bus drivers, transit and intercity
- Passenger attendant vs. Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
- Passenger attendant vs. Parking attendant
- Passenger attendant vs. Railroad conductors and yardmasters
- Passenger attendant vs. Locker room, coatroom, and dressing room attendants
- Passenger attendant vs. Aircraft cargo handling supervisor