Flight Attendant Salary

Boone vs Raleigh: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Boone, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boone, NC
$57,648
$27.72/hr
Raleigh, NC
$63,725
$30.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoone, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$57,648$63,725
Hourly Rate$27.72$30.64
Entry Level (P10)$33,436$36,961
25th Percentile$47,438$48,828
75th Percentile$73,790$81,568
Top Earner (P90)$89,355$98,773
Total Employed6104
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boone ($57,648) and Raleigh ($63,725) flight attendant salaries.BooneRaleighMedian Salary$57,648$63,725Entry Level (P10)$33,436$36,961Top Earner (P90)$89,355$98,773US Median $64,527

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Boone.

The salary gap between Boone and Raleigh is $6,077 (10.54%). Raleigh's median is -1.24% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boone spans $55,919,Raleigh spans $61,812. Raleigh has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Boone
P10 (Entry)$33,436
P25$47,438
Median$57,648
P75$73,790
P90 (Top)$89,355
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$36,961
P25$48,828
Median$63,725
P75$81,568
P90 (Top)$98,773

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($68,082 effective) pays 10.54% more than Boone ($61,590 effective).

Boone
Nominal: $57,648
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $61,590
Raleigh
Nominal: $63,725
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $68,082

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boone if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,725/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,773)
  • Larger job market (104 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,082)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Boone grew 9.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.5% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Boone, NC

+9.6%

$51,817 (2024) → $56,802 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+8.5%

$57,880 (2019) → $62,789 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Boone or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median flight attendant salary at $63,725/year, compared to Boone at $57,648/year — a difference of $6,077 (10.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boone and Raleigh?

Boone flight attendants earn $27.72/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $30.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boone to Raleigh as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boone and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boone = $61,590, Raleigh = $68,082), job availability (6 vs 104 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Boone vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $33,436 in Boone and $36,961 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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