Flight Attendant Salary

Alpharetta vs Athens: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Alpharetta, GA and Athens, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alpharetta, GA
$60,685
$29.18/hr
Athens, GA
$61,853
$29.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlpharetta, GAAthens, GA
Median Salary$60,685$61,853
Hourly Rate$29.18$29.74
Entry Level (P10)$35,198$35,875
25th Percentile$48,777$49,156
75th Percentile$77,676$79,172
Top Earner (P90)$94,062$95,873
Total Employed1331
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alpharetta ($60,685) and Athens ($61,853) flight attendant salaries.AlpharettaAthensMedian Salary$60,685$61,853Entry Level (P10)$35,198$35,875Top Earner (P90)$94,062$95,873US Median $64,527

Verdict

Athens, GA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alpharetta.

The salary gap between Alpharetta and Athens is $1,168 (1.92%). Athens's median is -4.14% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alpharetta spans $58,864,Athens spans $59,998. Athens has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Alpharetta
P10 (Entry)$35,198
P25$48,777
Median$60,685
P75$77,676
P90 (Top)$94,062
Athens
P10 (Entry)$35,875
P25$49,156
Median$61,853
P75$79,172
P90 (Top)$95,873

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Athens ($66,437 effective) pays 1.92% more than Alpharetta ($65,183 effective).

Alpharetta
Nominal: $60,685
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $65,183
Athens
Nominal: $61,853
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $66,437

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alpharetta if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Athens if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,853/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,873)
  • Larger job market (31 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,437)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Alpharetta grew -2.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.2% growth in Athens over the same period.

Alpharetta, GA

+-2.2%

$61,130 (2024) → $59,794 (2025)

Athens, GA

+-2.2%

$62,306 (2024) → $60,945 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Alpharetta or Athens?

Athens has a higher median flight attendant salary at $61,853/year, compared to Alpharetta at $60,685/year — a difference of $1,168 (1.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alpharetta and Athens?

Alpharetta flight attendants earn $29.18/hr while Athens hygienists earn $29.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alpharetta to Athens as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alpharetta and Athens. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alpharetta = $65,183, Athens = $66,437), job availability (13 vs 31 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Alpharetta vs Athens?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $35,198 in Alpharetta and $35,875 in Athens. The Athens area offers higher starting salaries.
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