Flight Attendant Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details

Flight Attendant Salary in Nigeria 2025: Full Details with Complete Breakdown

Overview

Flight attendants, also known as air hostesses, cabin crew, or airline stewards/stewardesses, are aviation professionals responsible for ensuring passenger safety and comfort during flights. They conduct safety briefings, demonstrate emergency procedures, serve meals and beverages, and handle customer service issues. In Nigeria, flight attendant salaries vary based on experience, education, certifications, location, airline type, and flight routes (domestic vs. international). Below is a detailed breakdown of salary data, additional compensation, and influencing factors, with a focus on entry-level and experienced roles.

Average Salary

  • Annual Salary: The average annual salary for a flight attendant in Nigeria ranges from ₦1,200,000 to ₦4,800,000 (₦100,000–₦400,000/month), with a median of ₦2,759,700/year (₦229,975/month).
  • Monthly Salary: Typical range is ₦100,000–₦400,000, with a median of ₦215,000/month (SalaryExplorer) or ₦200,000/month (Glassdoor).
  • Hourly Rate: Estimated at ₦800–₦1,200/hour, based on a 40-hour workweek, though most roles are salaried. Some sources report ~₦384/hour for Arik Air attendants.
  • Salary Ranges by Source:
    • MySalaryScale (2025): Average net salary of ₦116,000/month, based on 4 employee reports.
    • SalaryExplorer (2024): ₦113,000–₦359,000/month, median ₦215,000/month.
    • Glassdoor (2025): Average base salary of ₦200,000/month, with total pay (including bonuses) up to ₦795,815/month (range: ₦150,000–₦425,000/month).
    • WorldSalaries (2025): ₦1,357,900–₦4,309,300/year (₦113,158–₦359,108/month), median ₦2,819,600/year (₦234,967/month).
    • LearnSkills (2025): ₦92,000–₦797,885/month, with an average base of ₦200,000/month in Lagos.
    • Arik Air (Glassdoor, 2025): Average base salary of ₦1,560,000/year (₦130,000/month), with total pay ranging from ₦720,000–₦9,600,000/year (₦60,000–₦800,000/month).
    • InquireSalary (2025): ₦113,000–₦230,000/month, with top earners (5%) exceeding ₦230,000/month.
    • KashGain (2024): ₦100,000–₦300,000/month, with entry-level at ₦100,000–₦150,000/month.

Salary by Experience Level

Experience significantly impacts earnings:

  • Entry-Level (0–2 years): ₦92,000–₦180,000/month (~₦1,104,000–₦2,160,000/year). Starting salaries are typically ₦100,000–₦150,000/month at local airlines.
    • SalaryExplorer: ₦134,000/month for less than 2 years.
  • Mid-Career (2–5 years): ₦172,000–₦300,000/month (~₦2,064,000–₦3,600,000/year), a 29% increase over entry-level.
    • SalaryExplorer: ₦172,000/month for 2–5 years.
  • Experienced (5–10 years): ₦237,000–₦400,000/month (~₦2,844,000–₦4,800,000/year), a 38% increase over mid-career.
    • SalaryExplorer: ₦237,000/month for 5–10 years.
  • Senior-Level (10–15 years): ₦294,000–₦600,000/month (~₦3,528,000–₦7,200,000/year), a 24% increase.
    • Senior roles (e.g., flight supervisors) at major airlines may reach ₦797,885/month in Lagos.
  • Highly Experienced (15+ years): ₦359,000–₦1,045,994/month (~₦4,308,000–₦12,551,928/year), particularly for international routes or private jets.

Salary by Education Level

Higher education increases earning potential:

  • High School Diploma (SSCE): ₦113,000–₦200,000/month (~₦1,356,000–₦2,400,000/year), minimum requirement for most airlines.
  • Diploma/OND (e.g., Hospitality, Tourism): ₦172,000–₦250,000/month (~₦2,064,000–₦3,000,000/year), a 34% increase over SSCE.
  • Bachelor’s Degree (e.g., Aviation, Hospitality): ₦231,000–₦400,000/month (~₦2,772,000–₦4,800,000/year), a 34% increase over diploma.
  • Master’s Degree: ₦354,000–₦600,000/month (₦4,248,000–₦7,200,000/year), a 53% increase over Bachelor’s. Average salary is ₦4,249,700/year (₦354,142/month).
    • Note: Master’s degrees are rare for flight attendants and typically lead to supervisory or management roles.
  • Certifications: Aviation certifications (e.g., NCAA-approved cabin crew training, IATA courses) can boost salaries by 10–15%. Certified attendants earn ₦150,000–₦300,000/month vs. ₦100,000–₦200,000/month without certifications.

Salary by Location

Salaries vary by region due to cost of living and demand:

  • Lagos:
    • Average: ₦200,000–₦400,000/month (~₦2,400,000–₦4,800,000/year).
    • Range: ₦150,000–₦797,885/month (Glassdoor’s “Most Likely Range”). Highest pay reported at ₦1,045,994/month.
    • Arik Air: Average base salary of ₦130,000/month, with total pay up to ₦800,000/month including bonuses.
  • Abuja: Similar to Lagos, with averages of ₦180,000–₦350,000/month (~₦2,160,000–₦4,200,000/year).
  • Port Harcourt: ₦150,000–₦300,000/month (~₦1,800,000–₦3,600,000/year).
  • Other Regions (e.g., Kano, Enugu): ₦100,000–₦200,000/month (~₦1,200,000–₦2,400,000/year), lower due to reduced demand.

Additional Compensation

  • Bonuses: Approximately 30–50% of flight attendants receive performance-based bonuses, ranging from ₦10,000–₦620,994/month, with an average of ₦595,815/month (Glassdoor). Bonuses are higher for international routes or sales commissions (e.g., 10% on duty-free goods).
  • Allowances:
    • Transport Allowance: ~₦10,000–₦20,000/month.
    • Housing Allowance: ~₦20,000–₦50,000/month, provided by some airlines.
    • Meal Allowance (Per Diem): ~₦2,000–₦5,000/day for layovers, covering food and expenses during travel.
    • Overnight Allowance: For layovers, ~₦5,000–₦20,000/night, depending on the airline and destination.
  • Benefits:
    • Health insurance (HMOs) for corporate roles.
    • Free or discounted flights for attendants and sometimes family members (standby travel, subject to availability).
    • Hotel accommodations during layovers, fully funded by airlines.
    • Training sponsorships (e.g., NCAA cabin crew training, first aid certification).
    • Pension contributions under the Contributory Pension Scheme.
  • Total Pay: Including bonuses and allowances, total monthly compensation typically ranges from ₦150,000–₦1,045,994 in Lagos, with an average of ₦795,815/month (Glassdoor).

Salary Distribution

  • Median Salary: ₦2,819,600/year (~₦234,967/month), with 50% earning below and 50% above (WorldSalaries).
  • Percentiles:
    • 25th percentile: ₦1,870,400/year (~₦155,867/month).
    • 75th percentile: ₦3,600,000/year (~₦300,000/month).
    • 90th percentile: ₦4,309,300/year (~₦359,108/month).
  • Range (SalaryExplorer):
    • 65% of salaries fall between ₦134,000–₦188,000/month.
    • 20% are below ₦134,000/month.
    • 10% are between ₦188,000–₦213,000/month.
    • 5% exceed ₦230,000/month.

Factors Influencing Salary

  1. Experience: Salaries increase with years of service, doubling after 10 years. Entry-level attendants earn ₦100,000–₦150,000/month, while senior attendants earn ₦359,000–₦1,045,994/month.
  2. Education: Higher qualifications (e.g., Bachelor’s in Hospitality) boost pay by 34–53%. Master’s degrees are rare but yield ₦4,249,700/year.
  3. Certifications: NCAA-approved cabin crew training or IATA certifications increase pay by 10–15%.
  4. Location: Lagos offers 15–20% higher salaries due to demand and cost of living.
  5. Airline Type:
    • Major Nigerian Airlines (e.g., Air Peace, Arik Air, Dana Air): Pay ₦150,000–₦400,000/month for entry-level roles. Arik Air averages ₦130,000/month base, with bonuses up to ₦800,000/month.
    • International Airlines (e.g., Emirates, Qatar Airways): Pay ₦300,000–₦600,000/month for Nigerian-based attendants, with higher perks for international routes.
    • Regional/Smaller Airlines: Pay ₦92,000–₦200,000/month.
    • Private Jets: Pay ₦500,000–₦1,000,000/month, requiring specialized training and experience.
  6. Flight Type: International flights pay 20–30% more than domestic routes due to longer hours and per diems.
  7. Skills: Strong communication, customer service, and problem-solving skills increase employability and pay. Fluency in English and additional languages (e.g., French) can boost salaries by 5–10%.
  8. Gender: A 11% pay gap exists, with male attendants earning slightly more on average.

Salary Progression

  • Entry-Level (0–2 years): ₦100,000–₦180,000/month. After 1–2 years, salaries can increase to ₦172,000–₦250,000/month with experience and certifications.
  • Mid-Career (2–5 years): ₦200,000–₦400,000/month, with potential for lead cabin crew roles.
  • Senior-Level (5+ years): ₦400,000–₦1,045,994/month, especially for flight supervisors or international routes.
  • Career Path: Attendants can progress to flight supervisors, trainers, or airline management roles, earning ₦600,000–₦1,500,000/month after 10–15 years.
  • Salary Increments: Attendants receive an average 11% increase every 18 months, compared to the national average of 8% every 19 months.

Job Market Insights

  • Demand: Nigeria’s aviation industry is growing, with major airlines like Air Peace, Arik Air, Dana Air, and international carriers (Emirates, Qatar Airways) actively recruiting. Over 9,800 flight attendant job vacancies were listed in March 2025.
  • Key Employers: Air Peace, Arik Air, Dana Air, United Nigeria Airlines, Green Africa Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways.
  • Roles:
    • Flight Attendant: Ensure passenger safety and comfort (~₦100,000–₦400,000/month).
    • Lead Cabin Crew: Supervise crew (~₦300,000–₦600,000/month).
    • Cabin Crew Trainer: Train new attendants (~₦400,000–₦800,000/month).
  • Work Conditions: High-pressure role with long hours (4–6 domestic flights/week or fewer long-haul flights), irregular schedules, and layovers. Attendants face stress from passenger interactions and safety responsibilities.
  • Training: Requires NCAA-approved cabin crew training (3–6 weeks, costing ~₦200,000–₦500,000) at institutions like the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria. On-the-job training includes shadowing experienced crew for weeks.
  • Requirements:
    • Minimum high school diploma; Bachelor’s in Hospitality or Tourism preferred.
    • Height: 1.58m–1.90m to reach overhead bins.
    • Fluency in English; additional languages are a plus.
    • Physical fitness and medical clearance (Class 4 Medical Certificate).
    • Customer service experience (1+ years preferred).
  • Travel Perks: Free or discounted standby travel, hotel accommodations during layovers, and per diems for meals.

Strategies to Increase Earnings

  1. Earn Certifications: Complete NCAA-approved cabin crew training or IATA courses to boost pay by 10–15%.
  2. Gain Experience: Work at regional airlines for 2–5 years, then move to major or international carriers for 20–30% higher salaries.
  3. Relocate: Move to Lagos or Abuja for 15–20% higher salaries.
  4. Join International Airlines: Emirates or Qatar Airways pay ₦300,000–₦600,000/month, with better perks.
  5. Develop Skills: Improve communication, conflict resolution, and language skills to qualify for higher-paying roles.
  6. Network: Attend airline recruitment events and join professional groups to access job opportunities.

Notes

  • Salaries are gross figures before tax and deductions. Net salaries vary based on deductions (e.g., MySalaryScale reports ₦116,000/month net).
  • Data is sourced from MySalaryScale, SalaryExplorer, Glassdoor, WorldSalaries, LearnSkills, InquireSalary, KashGain, and other platforms, reflecting 2024–2025 trends.
  • Outliers (e.g., ₦9,600,000/year at Arik Air or ₦1,045,994/month) may reflect data errors, senior roles, or exceptional bonuses.
  • Nigeria’s aviation sector growth, driven by airlines like Air Peace and international carriers, ensures strong demand for flight attendants, but irregular schedules and high training costs are challenges.
  • Exchange rates used: 1 NGN = 0.00059 USD (2025 estimate). Check current rates for accuracy.

 

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