Flight Attendant Salary

Aurora vs Calumet City: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Aurora, IL and Calumet City, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Aurora, IL
$61,872
$29.75/hr
Calumet City, IL
$59,417
$28.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAurora, ILCalumet City, IL
Median Salary$61,872$59,417
Hourly Rate$29.75$28.57
Entry Level (P10)$35,886$34,462
25th Percentile$48,441$49,018
75th Percentile$79,197$76,055
Top Earner (P90)$95,902$92,097
Total Employed447
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Aurora ($61,872) and Calumet City ($59,417) flight attendant salaries.AuroraCalumet CityMedian Salary$61,872$59,417Entry Level (P10)$35,886$34,462Top Earner (P90)$95,902$92,097US Median $64,527

Verdict

Aurora, IL offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Calumet City.

The salary gap between Aurora and Calumet City is $2,455 (4.13%). Aurora's median is -4.11% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Aurora spans $60,016,Calumet City spans $57,635. Aurora has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Aurora
P10 (Entry)$35,886
P25$48,441
Median$61,872
P75$79,197
P90 (Top)$95,902
Calumet City
P10 (Entry)$34,462
P25$49,018
Median$59,417
P75$76,055
P90 (Top)$92,097

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Aurora ($63,720 effective) pays 4.13% more than Calumet City ($61,192 effective).

Aurora
Nominal: $61,872
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $63,720
Calumet City
Nominal: $59,417
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $61,192

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Aurora if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,872/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,902)
  • Larger job market (44 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,720)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Calumet City if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Aurora grew -11.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -11.7% growth in Calumet City over the same period.

Aurora, IL

+-11.7%

$69,038 (2024) → $60,964 (2025)

Calumet City, IL

+-11.7%

$66,298 (2024) → $58,545 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Aurora or Calumet City?

Aurora has a higher median flight attendant salary at $61,872/year, compared to Calumet City at $59,417/year — a difference of $2,455 (4.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Aurora and Calumet City?

Aurora flight attendants earn $29.75/hr while Calumet City hygienists earn $28.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Aurora to Calumet City as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Aurora and Calumet City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Aurora = $63,720, Calumet City = $61,192), job availability (44 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $35,886 in Aurora and $34,462 in Calumet City. The Aurora 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