Flight Attendant Salary

Alameda vs Los Angeles: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Alameda, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alameda, CA
$70,878
$34.08/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$80,573
$38.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlameda, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$70,878$80,573
Hourly Rate$34.08$38.74
Entry Level (P10)$41,109$48,847
25th Percentile$57,875$59,666
75th Percentile$90,723$95,786
Top Earner (P90)$109,860$114,734
Total Employed1210,080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alameda ($70,878) and Los Angeles ($80,573) flight attendant salaries.AlamedaLos AngelesMedian Salary$70,878$80,573Entry Level (P10)$41,109$48,847Top Earner (P90)$109,860$114,734US Median $64,527

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alameda.

The salary gap between Alameda and Los Angeles is $9,695 (13.68%). Los Angeles's median is +24.87% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alameda spans $68,751,Los Angeles spans $65,887. Alameda has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Alameda
P10 (Entry)$41,109
P25$57,875
Median$70,878
P75$90,723
P90 (Top)$109,860
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$48,847
P25$59,666
Median$80,573
P75$95,786
P90 (Top)$114,734

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($70,948 effective) pays 13.21% more than Alameda ($62,668 effective).

Alameda
Nominal: $70,878
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $62,668
Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,573
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,948

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alameda if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,573/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($114,734)
  • Larger job market (10,080 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,948)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Alameda grew -25.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 36.9% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Alameda, CA

+-25.2%

$93,365 (2024) → $69,837 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+36.9%

$58,010 (2019) → $79,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Alameda or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median flight attendant salary at $80,573/year, compared to Alameda at $70,878/year — a difference of $9,695 (13.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alameda and Los Angeles?

Alameda flight attendants earn $34.08/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $38.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alameda to Los Angeles as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alameda and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alameda = $62,668, Los Angeles = $70,948), job availability (12 vs 10,080 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Alameda vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $41,109 in Alameda and $48,847 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

EJ

Written by Emily Johnson, AFA-CWA

Career Analyst

Emily Johnson has 10 years of experience as a flight attendant. She specializes in passenger safety and service. She has worked for major airlines in the United States.

Clinically reviewed by Raj Patel, AFA-CWAData verified by Maria Gomez, AFA-CWA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.49% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Johnson, AFA-CWA, a licensed flight attendant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov