Flight Attendant Salary

Aurora vs Boulder: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Aurora, CO and Boulder, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, CO
$59,060
$28.40/hr
Boulder, CO
$68,127
$32.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, COBoulder, CO
Median Salary$59,060$68,127
Hourly Rate$28.40$32.75
Entry Level (P10)$34,255$39,514
25th Percentile$46,858$56,259
75th Percentile$75,597$87,203
Top Earner (P90)$91,543$105,597
Total Employed5421
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($59,060) and Boulder ($68,127) flight attendant salaries.AuroraBoulderMedian Salary$59,060$68,127Entry Level (P10)$34,255$39,514Top Earner (P90)$91,543$105,597US Median $64,527

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Aurora and Boulder is $9,067 (15.35%). Boulder's median is +5.58% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $57,288,Boulder spans $66,083. Boulder has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$34,255
P25$46,858
Median$59,060
P75$75,597
P90 (Top)$91,543
Boulder
P10 (Entry)$39,514
P25$56,259
Median$68,127
P75$87,203
P90 (Top)$105,597

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($64,883 effective) pays 15.35% more than Aurora ($56,248 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $59,060
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $56,248
Boulder
Nominal: $68,127
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $64,883

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Larger job market (54 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,127/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($105,597)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,883)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Aurora grew -20.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -6.5% growth in Boulder over the same period.

Aurora, CO

+-20.6%

$73,324 (2024) → $58,193 (2025)

Boulder, CO

+-6.5%

$71,794 (2024) → $67,127 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Aurora or Boulder?

Boulder has a higher median flight attendant salary at $68,127/year, compared to Aurora at $59,060/year — a difference of $9,067 (15.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Boulder?

Aurora flight attendants earn $28.40/hr while Boulder hygienists earn $32.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Boulder as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Boulder. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $56,248, Boulder = $64,883), job availability (54 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Aurora vs Boulder?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $34,255 in Aurora and $39,514 in Boulder. The Boulder 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