Flight Attendant Salary

Chicago vs Glenview: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Chicago, IL and Glenview, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chicago, IL
$63,046
$30.32/hr
Glenview, IL
$60,215
$28.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILGlenview, IL
Median Salary$63,046$60,215
Hourly Rate$30.32$28.94
Entry Level (P10)$40,637$36,072
25th Percentile$61,219$50,638
75th Percentile$78,878$77,076
Top Earner (P90)$100,414$93,333
Total Employed9,24012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($63,046) and Glenview ($60,215) flight attendant salaries.ChicagoGlenviewMedian Salary$63,046$60,215Entry Level (P10)$40,637$36,072Top Earner (P90)$100,414$93,333US Median $64,527

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Glenview.

The salary gap between Chicago and Glenview is $2,831 (4.70%). Chicago's median is -2.30% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chicago spans $59,777,Glenview spans $57,261. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$40,637
P25$61,219
Median$63,046
P75$78,878
P90 (Top)$100,414
Glenview
P10 (Entry)$36,072
P25$50,638
Median$60,215
P75$77,076
P90 (Top)$93,333

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Glenview ($62,013 effective) pays 1.90% more than Chicago ($60,858 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $63,046
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $60,858
Glenview
Nominal: $60,215
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $62,013

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,046/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,414)
  • Larger job market (9,240 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Glenview if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,013)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Chicago grew 13.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.7% growth in Glenview over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+13.2%

$54,890 (2019) → $62,120 (2025)

Glenview, IL

+-11.7%

$67,188 (2024) → $59,331 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Chicago or Glenview?

Chicago has a higher median flight attendant salary at $63,046/year, compared to Glenview at $60,215/year — a difference of $2,831 (4.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Glenview?

Chicago flight attendants earn $30.32/hr while Glenview hygienists earn $28.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chicago to Glenview as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Glenview. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $60,858, Glenview = $62,013), job availability (9,240 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Chicago vs Glenview?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $40,637 in Chicago and $36,072 in Glenview. The Chicago 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