Flight Attendant Salary

Boston vs Marlborough: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Boston, MA and Marlborough, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$62,426
$30.01/hr
Marlborough, MA
$69,115
$33.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAMarlborough, MA
Median Salary$62,426$69,115
Hourly Rate$30.01$33.23
Entry Level (P10)$32,203$40,087
25th Percentile$60,407$56,183
75th Percentile$97,958$88,467
Top Earner (P90)$100,871$107,128
Total Employed4,31010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($62,426) and Marlborough ($69,115) flight attendant salaries.BostonMarlboroughMedian Salary$62,426$69,115Entry Level (P10)$32,203$40,087Top Earner (P90)$100,871$107,128US Median $64,527

Verdict

Marlborough, MA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Boston.

The salary gap between Boston and Marlborough is $6,689 (10.72%). Marlborough's median is +7.11% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $68,668,Marlborough spans $67,041. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$32,203
P25$60,407
Median$62,426
P75$97,958
P90 (Top)$100,871
Marlborough
P10 (Entry)$40,087
P25$56,183
Median$69,115
P75$88,467
P90 (Top)$107,128

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Marlborough ($63,700 effective) pays 10.48% more than Boston ($57,660 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $62,426
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $57,660
Marlborough
Nominal: $69,115
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $63,700

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Larger job market (4,310 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Marlborough if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,115/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,128)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,700)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Boston grew 4.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -15.2% growth in Marlborough over the same period.

Boston, MA

+4.9%

$58,640 (2019) → $61,510 (2025)

Marlborough, MA

+-15.2%

$80,332 (2024) → $68,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Boston or Marlborough?

Marlborough has a higher median flight attendant salary at $69,115/year, compared to Boston at $62,426/year — a difference of $6,689 (10.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Marlborough?

Boston flight attendants earn $30.01/hr while Marlborough hygienists earn $33.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Marlborough as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Marlborough. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $57,660, Marlborough = $63,700), job availability (4,310 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Boston vs Marlborough?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $32,203 in Boston and $40,087 in Marlborough. The Marlborough 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