Flight Attendant Salary

Buffalo vs Freeport: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Buffalo, NY and Freeport, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$75,524
$36.31/hr
Freeport, NY
$70,875
$34.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYFreeport, NY
Median Salary$75,524$70,875
Hourly Rate$36.31$34.07
Entry Level (P10)$43,804$41,108
25th Percentile$60,133$58,415
75th Percentile$96,670$90,720
Top Earner (P90)$117,062$109,856
Total Employed5810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($75,524) and Freeport ($70,875) flight attendant salaries.BuffaloFreeportMedian Salary$75,524$70,875Entry Level (P10)$43,804$41,108Top Earner (P90)$117,062$109,856US Median $64,527

Verdict

Buffalo, NY offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Freeport.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Freeport is $4,649 (6.56%). Buffalo's median is +17.04% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $73,258,Freeport spans $68,748. Buffalo has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$43,804
P25$60,133
Median$75,524
P75$96,670
P90 (Top)$117,062
Freeport
P10 (Entry)$41,108
P25$58,415
Median$70,875
P75$90,720
P90 (Top)$109,856

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($65,163 effective) pays 6.56% more than Freeport ($61,152 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $75,524
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $65,163
Freeport
Nominal: $70,875
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $61,152

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,524/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,062)
  • Larger job market (58 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,163)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Freeport if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Buffalo grew -22.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -22.5% growth in Freeport over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+-22.5%

$95,974 (2024) → $74,415 (2025)

Freeport, NY

+-22.5%

$90,067 (2024) → $69,834 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Buffalo or Freeport?

Buffalo has a higher median flight attendant salary at $75,524/year, compared to Freeport at $70,875/year — a difference of $4,649 (6.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Freeport?

Buffalo flight attendants earn $36.31/hr while Freeport hygienists earn $34.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Freeport as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Freeport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $65,163, Freeport = $61,152), job availability (58 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Buffalo vs Freeport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $43,804 in Buffalo and $41,108 in Freeport. The Buffalo 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