Flight Attendant Salary

Berkeley vs Jersey City: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Berkeley, NJ and Jersey City, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Berkeley, NJ
$72,823
$35.01/hr
Jersey City, NJ
$131,868
$63.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBerkeley, NJJersey City, NJ
Median Salary$72,823$131,868
Hourly Rate$35.01$63.40
Entry Level (P10)$42,237$76,484
25th Percentile$58,509$102,943
75th Percentile$93,213$168,791
Top Earner (P90)$112,876$204,396
Total Employed742
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Berkeley ($72,823) and Jersey City ($131,868) flight attendant salaries.BerkeleyJersey CityMedian Salary$72,823$131,868Entry Level (P10)$42,237$76,484Top Earner (P90)$112,876$204,396US Median $64,527

Verdict

Jersey City, NJ offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Berkeley.

The salary gap between Berkeley and Jersey City is $59,045 (81.08%). Jersey City's median is +104.36% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Berkeley spans $70,639,Jersey City spans $127,912. Jersey City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Berkeley
P10 (Entry)$42,237
P25$58,509
Median$72,823
P75$93,213
P90 (Top)$112,876
Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$76,484
P25$102,943
Median$131,868
P75$168,791
P90 (Top)$204,396

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($114,469 effective) pays 81.08% more than Berkeley ($63,214 effective).

Berkeley
Nominal: $72,823
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $63,214
Jersey City
Nominal: $131,868
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $114,469

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Berkeley if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,868/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($204,396)
  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,469)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Berkeley grew -18.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.0% growth in Jersey City over the same period.

Berkeley, NJ

+-18.5%

$88,028 (2024) → $71,754 (2025)

Jersey City, NJ

+38.0%

$94,140 (2024) → $129,932 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Berkeley or Jersey City?

Jersey City has a higher median flight attendant salary at $131,868/year, compared to Berkeley at $72,823/year — a difference of $59,045 (81.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Berkeley and Jersey City?

Berkeley flight attendants earn $35.01/hr while Jersey City hygienists earn $63.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Berkeley to Jersey City as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Berkeley and Jersey City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Berkeley = $63,214, Jersey City = $114,469), job availability (7 vs 42 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Berkeley vs Jersey City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $42,237 in Berkeley and $76,484 in Jersey City. The Jersey City 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