Flight Attendant Salary

Chino Hills vs San Diego: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Chino Hills, CA and San Diego, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chino Hills, CA
$73,114
$35.16/hr
San Diego, CA
$77,327
$37.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChino Hills, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$73,114$77,327
Hourly Rate$35.16$37.18
Entry Level (P10)$42,407$44,849
25th Percentile$58,030$61,627
75th Percentile$93,586$98,979
Top Earner (P90)$113,328$119,858
Total Employed21307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chino Hills ($73,114) and San Diego ($77,327) flight attendant salaries.Chino HillsSan DiegoMedian Salary$73,114$77,327Entry Level (P10)$42,407$44,849Top Earner (P90)$113,328$119,858US Median $64,527

Verdict

San Diego, CA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chino Hills.

The salary gap between Chino Hills and San Diego is $4,213 (5.76%). San Diego's median is +19.84% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chino Hills spans $70,921,San Diego spans $75,009. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Chino Hills
P10 (Entry)$42,407
P25$58,030
Median$73,114
P75$93,586
P90 (Top)$113,328
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$44,849
P25$61,627
Median$77,327
P75$98,979
P90 (Top)$119,858

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($68,370 effective) pays 5.76% more than Chino Hills ($64,645 effective).

Chino Hills
Nominal: $73,114
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $64,645
San Diego
Nominal: $77,327
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $68,370

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chino Hills if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,327/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,858)
  • Larger job market (307 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,370)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Chino Hills grew -25.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Chino Hills, CA

+-25.2%

$96,312 (2024) → $72,041 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+23.6%

$61,650 (2020) → $76,192 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Chino Hills or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median flight attendant salary at $77,327/year, compared to Chino Hills at $73,114/year — a difference of $4,213 (5.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chino Hills and San Diego?

Chino Hills flight attendants earn $35.16/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $37.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chino Hills to San Diego as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chino Hills and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chino Hills = $64,645, San Diego = $68,370), job availability (21 vs 307 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Chino Hills vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $42,407 in Chino Hills and $44,849 in San Diego. The San Diego 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