Flight Attendant Salary

Charleston vs Greenville: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Charleston, SC and Greenville, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$62,315
$29.96/hr
Greenville, SC
$60,814
$29.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCGreenville, SC
Median Salary$62,315$60,814
Hourly Rate$29.96$29.24
Entry Level (P10)$36,143$35,272
25th Percentile$49,695$48,653
75th Percentile$79,763$77,842
Top Earner (P90)$96,588$94,262
Total Employed2510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($62,315) and Greenville ($60,814) flight attendant salaries.CharlestonGreenvilleMedian Salary$62,315$60,814Entry Level (P10)$36,143$35,272Top Earner (P90)$96,588$94,262US Median $64,527

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Greenville.

The salary gap between Charleston and Greenville is $1,501 (2.47%). Charleston's median is -3.43% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $60,445,Greenville spans $58,990. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$36,143
P25$49,695
Median$62,315
P75$79,763
P90 (Top)$96,588
Greenville
P10 (Entry)$35,272
P25$48,653
Median$60,814
P75$77,842
P90 (Top)$94,262

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($68,104 effective) pays 2.47% more than Greenville ($66,463 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $62,315
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $68,104
Greenville
Nominal: $60,814
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $66,463

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,315/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,588)
  • Larger job market (25 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,104)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greenville if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Charleston grew 18.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.2% growth in Greenville over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+18.2%

$51,932 (2024) → $61,400 (2025)

Greenville, SC

+18.2%

$50,681 (2024) → $59,921 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Charleston or Greenville?

Charleston has a higher median flight attendant salary at $62,315/year, compared to Greenville at $60,814/year — a difference of $1,501 (2.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Greenville?

Charleston flight attendants earn $29.96/hr while Greenville hygienists earn $29.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Greenville as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Greenville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $68,104, Greenville = $66,463), job availability (25 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Charleston vs Greenville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $36,143 in Charleston and $35,272 in Greenville. The Charleston 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