What is a crew member and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
introduction image

A crew member works as part of a team in a variety of industries, including aviation, maritime, and film production. They provide assistance to ensure the smooth operation of their respective industries. Duties may include ensuring passenger safety, maintaining equipment, performing routine maintenance, and assisting with logistics. Crew members must be detail-oriented, possess strong communication skills, and work well under pressure. They may work long hours and travel frequently.

ScoreCrew MemberUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $28,946

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
7.0

Growth Rate 14%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
2.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.85%

Asian 6.49%

Black or African American 9.64%

Hispanic or Latino 18.63%

Unknown 6.92%

White 57.47%

Gender

female 51.64%

male 48.36%

Age - 21
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 21
Stress Level
7.0

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
5.5

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
9.7

Work Life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a Crew Member?

Pros

  • Gain experience in customer service and hospitality

  • Receive training in safety procedures

  • Potential for career advancement within the company

  • Wages can be competitive, with opportunities for tips and bonuses

  • May receive health and retirement benefits

Cons

  • May experience jet lag and fatigue from traveling

  • Exposure to illnesses and diseases from passengers and coworkers

  • High-pressure job with strict deadlines and expectations

  • Physical demands of lifting heavy luggage and standing for long periods of time

  • Potential for layoffs or job instability during economic downturns

Crew Member career paths

Key steps to become a crew member

  1. Explore crew member education requirements

    Most common crew member degrees

    High School Diploma

    50.6 %

    Bachelor's

    19.8 %

    Associate

    14.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific crew member skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Cleanliness19.49%
    Basic Math13.48%
    English Language9.93%
    Excellent Guest6.98%
    Safety Standards6.87%
  3. Complete relevant crew member training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New crew members learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a crew member based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real crew member resumes.
  4. Research crew member duties and responsibilities

    • Manage food preparation, maintain cleanliness and punctuality while effectively support customers in daily transactions with suggestive selling methods.
    • Dig and fill holes, using shovels and rakes.
    • Cashier, server, greeter, order taker, sandwich maker, computer skil, math skil, customer service
    • Demonstrate excellent customer service in dealing with concerns and special food orders which include allergies and other customer wishes.
  5. Prepare your crew member resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your crew member resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a crew member resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Crew Member Resume templates

    Build a professional Crew Member resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Crew Member resume.
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  6. Apply for crew member jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a crew member job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Crew Member Job

Zippi

Are you a Crew Member?

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Average crew member salary

The average Crew Member salary in the United States is $28,946 per year or $14 per hour. Crew member salaries range between $22,000 and $37,000 per year.

Average Crew Member Salary
$28,946 Yearly
$13.92 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do crew members rate their job?

4/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Crew Member reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Dec 2021
Pros

A total time you spend knowing and communicate and get attachment to the clients

Cons

Leaving work when it's time to leave


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Oct 2019
Pros

Friendships, feeling accomplished, and training people.

Cons

Disorganized and very little room to improve.


profile
4.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019
Pros

The customers that treat you with respect are friendly kind and leave with a smile on there faces

Cons

Rude customers walk outs non tippers who don't clean up after their children just being disrespectful


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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