verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Flight Attendant Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$82,170/yr
Median Hourly Wage
/hr
▲ 29% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
15,840
public U.S. Median
$63,580
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$74,214 #5 of 19

Flight Attendant pay in California, explained

Flight attendants in California earn a median of $82,170 per year (— per hour), which is 29% above the national median of $63,580. Entry-level workers earn around $48,130, while the most experienced flight attendants reach about $129,290. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $82,170 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $82,170 is worth about $74,214 in national buying power — ranking California #5 for real pay (vs #3 on the sticker number).

See the full Flight Attendant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Flight Attendant pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$48,130
$23.14/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$82,170
—/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$129,290
$62.16/hr

Flight Attendant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $82,170 $74,214
Arizona $61,780 $61,365 +$20,390
Oregon $61,480 $59,481 +$20,690
Nevada $51,800 $51,811 +$30,370

Flight Attendant in California: FAQ

How much do flight attendants make in California?

Flight attendants in California earn a median of $82,170 per year (— per hour), compared with $63,580 nationally.

Does California pay flight attendants well?

At $82,170, California pays 29% above the national median for flight attendants. An estimated 15,840 work in the state.

Flight Attendant salary in other states

All 19 states ranked arrow_forward

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