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The differences between flight attendants and ship stewards can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a flight attendant has an average salary of $33,607, which is higher than the $31,683 average annual salary of a ship steward.
The top three skills for a flight attendant include passenger safety, customer service and emergency equipment. The most important skills for a ship steward are cleanliness, kitchen equipment, and culinary.
| Flight Attendant | Ship Steward | |
| Yearly salary | $33,607 | $31,683 |
| Hourly rate | $16.16 | $15.23 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 45,878 | 42,173 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Average age | 49 | 55 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A flight attendant is known as a steward or stewardess, an air host or hostess, and works majority in airlines, some in private business jets, or a few other aircraft. Also commonly referred to as a cabin crew, flight attendants act as an ambassador between the airline they work with and the passengers by primarily taking charge of their safety and comfort during the entire flight. They do more than serving meals, refreshments, and drinks to passengers as they must also check the supplies and emergency equipment, secure sufficiency, and make sure everything is in order. They greet the travelers, help in their luggage being stowed properly, and ensure they are in their correct and assigned seats.
A ship steward's responsibilities will vary depending on whether they work in housekeeping, the kitchen, or as a guide in a cruise ship. Most of the time, the duties of a ship steward will revolve around assisting and engaging with guests, ensuring that they are satisfied with the services and amenities. There are also instances when a ship steward must maintain cleanliness and order and coordinate with managers and supervisors. Furthermore, it is essential to adhere to the policies and safety standards at all times, making sure to provide a safe and hospitable environment for all guests.
Flight attendants and ship stewards have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Flight Attendant | Ship Steward | |
| Average salary | $33,607 | $31,683 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $43,000 | Between $16,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Philadelphia, PA | Juneau, AK |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Lockheed Martin | Intuitive Surgical |
| Best paying industry | Transportation | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a flight attendant and a ship steward in terms of educational background:
| Flight Attendant | Ship Steward | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 56% | Bachelor's Degree, 34% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | SUNY Farmingdale | - |
Here are the differences between flight attendants' and ship stewards' demographics:
| Flight Attendant | Ship Steward | |
| Average age | 49 | 55 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 21.1% Female, 78.9% | Male, 68.8% Female, 31.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 7.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 7.6% White, 59.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 29.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.7% Asian, 4.7% White, 44.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 29% | 13% |