Flight Attendant Salary

Camden vs Paterson: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Camden, NJ and Paterson, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Camden, NJ
$39,151
$18.83/hr
Paterson, NJ
$74,283
$35.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCamden, NJPaterson, NJ
Median Salary$39,151$74,283
Hourly Rate$18.83$35.71
Entry Level (P10)$22,707$43,084
25th Percentile$31,739$60,799
75th Percentile$50,113$95,082
Top Earner (P90)$60,684$115,138
Total Employed1631
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Camden ($39,151) and Paterson ($74,283) flight attendant salaries.CamdenPatersonMedian Salary$39,151$74,283Entry Level (P10)$22,707$43,084Top Earner (P90)$60,684$115,138US Median $64,527

Verdict

Paterson, NJ offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Camden.

The salary gap between Camden and Paterson is $35,132 (89.73%). Paterson's median is +15.12% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Camden spans $37,977,Paterson spans $72,054. Paterson has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Camden
P10 (Entry)$22,707
P25$31,739
Median$39,151
P75$50,113
P90 (Top)$60,684
Paterson
P10 (Entry)$43,084
P25$60,799
Median$74,283
P75$95,082
P90 (Top)$115,138

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Paterson ($64,482 effective) pays 89.73% more than Camden ($33,985 effective).

Camden
Nominal: $39,151
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $33,985
Paterson
Nominal: $74,283
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $64,482

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Camden if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Paterson if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,283/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,138)
  • Larger job market (31 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,482)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Camden grew -55.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -18.5% growth in Paterson over the same period.

Camden, NJ

+-55.6%

$86,833 (2024) → $38,576 (2025)

Paterson, NJ

+-18.5%

$89,793 (2024) → $73,192 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Camden or Paterson?

Paterson has a higher median flight attendant salary at $74,283/year, compared to Camden at $39,151/year — a difference of $35,132 (89.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Camden and Paterson?

Camden flight attendants earn $18.83/hr while Paterson hygienists earn $35.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Camden to Paterson as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Camden and Paterson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Camden = $33,985, Paterson = $64,482), job availability (16 vs 31 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Camden vs Paterson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $22,707 in Camden and $43,084 in Paterson. The Paterson 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