Jetstar flight attendant reveals salary

A Jetstar flight attendant has revealed how much they get paid with the figure leaving some Aussies stumped.

A Jetstar flight attendant has revealed how much cabin crew get paid, leaving many Aussies surprised.

The Kiwi woman was stopped in the streets of Brisbane for an impromptu interview on behalf of Getahead, a jobs app.

The “Tinder app for jobs” has amassed more than 14 million likes on TikTok by chatting to random people, asking them what they do for a living and how much they make.

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Greg Underhill from the recruitment app spoke to a Jetstar cabin crew member who revealed they can earn anywhere between $NZ40,000 to $NZ80,000 ($A36,000 – $A72,000) depending on their contract and location.

She said she usually works five to six days, and up to 12-hour shifts, with one to two days off.

“The pay is different, so if you’re Aussie crew, which is not me, you’re on pretty good pay,” she told Greg.

“If you’re New Zealand crew, it’s pretty average.”

News.com.au understands that Jetstar cabin crew based in NZ earn on average around $NZ73,000 – about $A66,000 annually, with cabin managers earning an average around $NZ85,000 – about $A77,000.

A Jetstar flight attendant from NZ revealed how much they roughly get paid. Picture: TikTok/getahead.app

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According to job site Indeed, the average yearly salary of a flight attendant in Australia is $52,371, which meets the national average.

“Salary information comes from 48 data points collected directly from employees, users, and past and present job advertisements on Indeed in the past 36 months,” the site states.

When asked if she would recommend working for the airline, the flight attendant said “definitely”, particularly for younger people looking for a “cheap way to travel”.

“I didn’t even lose my job in lockdown, wasn’t even close to it,” she added.

But warned that while you get to travel, it’s not all about leading a “luxury life”.

“I know I just said you kinda do that (but) our main job is safety and we’re working 12-hour plus days.”

She said the pay in Australia is ‘pretty good’. Picture: TikTok/getahead.app

“I’ve had everything under the planet with my flights – I’ve had deaths on board, I’ve had oven fires, you name it I’ve had it.”

She explained the training can be intense, especially when she started, adding there “were some tears”.

But as most flight attendants explain, it’s for the benefit for everyone on-board.

“You’ll learn key safety procedures, including how to operate the aircraft door and various equipment, including the aircraft slide descent and fire equipment,” the Jetstar site reads.

News.com.au understands that Jetstar cabin crew based in NZ earn on average around $NZ73,000 – about $A66,000 annually. Picture: Hilary Walker

“You’ll also perform a wet drill activity, where you’ll need to swim 50m in full clothing while wearing a life jacket. You’ll have to pass your exams to graduate – the last stop before you get your wings!”

The clip has amassed more than 330,000 views with many Aussies stumped by how much flight attendants working for the budget airline get paid.

“12 hours, six days a week for 40k,” one shocked person wrote.

“Start around 40k? crazyyyy!!!!! your life is literally on the line come on Jetstar,” added another.

A third said: “40k is double Centrelink - not nearly enough.”

In Australia, Jetstar cabin crew can either be directly employed by the airline or hired through third-party labour firms Team Jetstar and Altara.

In December, the Transport Workers Union and Jetstar reached a “Same Job, Same Pay” in-principle agreement to increase wages for the airline’s 1500 labour-hire cabin crew.

“Cabin crew are at the heart of our operation, and this proposed agreement recognises their hard work and dedication to low fares flying,” Jetstar Group Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Tully said in a statement at the time.

“We’ve worked together with the TWU to navigate the new legislation and come to an in-principle agreement that delivers wage increases for our cabin crew while also ensuring we support our low fares business model and enable future growth.”