What Is the Average Yearly Salary of a Airline Baggage Handler?

Dozens of specific careers and jobs exist within the average commercial airline. For example, the people you see loading and unloading baggage and cargo on your flight are generically known as airline baggage handlers. New airline baggage handler salary may increase gradually over time and with experience. Airline baggage handlers earn their pay, too, because the work needed to load, unload and service an airliner can be high-pressured and difficult, as described by AvJobs.

Baggage Handler Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, baggage porters and bellhops, including airline baggage handlers, earned an average annual salary of $28,230, or $13.57 an hour, as of May 2019. Median annual baggage handler pay was $25,580, meaning that half earned more than the median wage, and half earned less. Top wage earners at the 90th percentile on the payscale made more than $39,510. Reported baggage handler salary was the highest in the District of Columbia at $37,410 followed by New York at $36,390 and Hawaii at $35,860.

Pay Increases

Sliding pay scales are common in the airline industry. Airline baggage handlers receive periodic pay increases based on seniority and experience gained. Normally, new-hire airline baggage handlers move to a higher salary classifications after five to 10 years. At large commercial airlines, baggage handlers with five to nine years of service can earn $17.65 hourly, and around $20.96 with 10 to 19 years of service, based on limited self-reported PayScale survey data. Senior airline baggage handlers typically receive more vacation time, as well.

Job Benefits

Airline employee benefits are what frequently attract people to airline baggage handler jobs. Typically, even new-hire airline baggage handlers receive free space-available flight benefits for themselves and their families. Depending on airline size, new-hire baggage handlers also receive paid sick time, a retirement plan and access to dental, life and accident insurance. Airlines also often provide some form of cost-shared health insurance to their employees and employees' families.

Baggage Handler Requirements

Airline baggage handlers work hard and in all weather conditions, including rain and snow. Commercial airlines run on schedules and airliners cost their airlines money while sitting on the ground. Airline baggage handlers are expected to work within tightly defined flight schedules and to lift 70 lbs. on their own. Airline baggage handlers must be able to quickly unload and reload an airliner and have it ready to fly again in a short amount of time.

Promotional Opportunities

Airline baggage handlers are led by direct supervisors who often work side-by-side with baggage handler teams. Most airline baggage handler supervisors are promoted to their positions as they gain experience and when openings arise, which happens frequently. Baggage handler supervisors earn pay commensurate with their duties and responsibilities, which are greater than their rank-and-file baggage handler peers. Many airlines also seek to promote from within, offering managerial positions to rank-and-file members with experience and proven management and leadership abilities.