Flight Attendant Salary

Chattanooga vs Gallatin: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Chattanooga, TN and Gallatin, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chattanooga, TN
$59,211
$28.47/hr
Gallatin, TN
$56,586
$27.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChattanooga, TNGallatin, TN
Median Salary$59,211$56,586
Hourly Rate$28.47$27.21
Entry Level (P10)$34,342$32,820
25th Percentile$46,015$48,199
75th Percentile$75,791$72,429
Top Earner (P90)$91,777$87,708
Total Employed3611
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chattanooga ($59,211) and Gallatin ($56,586) flight attendant salaries.ChattanoogaGallatinMedian Salary$59,211$56,586Entry Level (P10)$34,342$32,820Top Earner (P90)$91,777$87,708US Median $64,527

Verdict

Chattanooga, TN offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gallatin.

The salary gap between Chattanooga and Gallatin is $2,625 (4.64%). Chattanooga's median is -8.24% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chattanooga spans $57,435,Gallatin spans $54,888. Chattanooga has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chattanooga
P10 (Entry)$34,342
P25$46,015
Median$59,211
P75$75,791
P90 (Top)$91,777
Gallatin
P10 (Entry)$32,820
P25$48,199
Median$56,586
P75$72,429
P90 (Top)$87,708

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chattanooga ($64,500 effective) pays 4.64% more than Gallatin ($61,641 effective).

Chattanooga
Nominal: $59,211
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $64,500
Gallatin
Nominal: $56,586
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $61,641

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chattanooga if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,211/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,777)
  • Larger job market (36 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,500)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Gallatin if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Chattanooga grew 8.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.0% growth in Gallatin over the same period.

Chattanooga, TN

+8.0%

$54,024 (2024) → $58,342 (2025)

Gallatin, TN

+8.0%

$51,628 (2024) → $55,755 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Chattanooga or Gallatin?

Chattanooga has a higher median flight attendant salary at $59,211/year, compared to Gallatin at $56,586/year — a difference of $2,625 (4.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chattanooga and Gallatin?

Chattanooga flight attendants earn $28.47/hr while Gallatin hygienists earn $27.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chattanooga to Gallatin as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chattanooga and Gallatin. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chattanooga = $64,500, Gallatin = $61,641), job availability (36 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Chattanooga vs Gallatin?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $34,342 in Chattanooga and $32,820 in Gallatin. The Chattanooga 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