Flight Attendant Salary

Cincinnati vs Lakewood: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Lakewood, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$60,983
$29.32/hr
Lakewood, OH
$58,231
$27.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHLakewood, OH
Median Salary$60,983$58,231
Hourly Rate$29.32$27.99
Entry Level (P10)$35,370$33,774
25th Percentile$48,104$45,731
75th Percentile$78,059$74,535
Top Earner (P90)$94,524$90,258
Total Employed7211
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($60,983) and Lakewood ($58,231) flight attendant salaries.CincinnatiLakewoodMedian Salary$60,983$58,231Entry Level (P10)$35,370$33,774Top Earner (P90)$94,524$90,258US Median $64,527

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lakewood.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Lakewood is $2,752 (4.73%). Cincinnati's median is -5.49% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $59,154,Lakewood spans $56,484. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$35,370
P25$48,104
Median$60,983
P75$78,059
P90 (Top)$94,524
Lakewood
P10 (Entry)$33,774
P25$45,731
Median$58,231
P75$74,535
P90 (Top)$90,258

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($67,236 effective) pays 4.73% more than Lakewood ($64,202 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $60,983
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $67,236
Lakewood
Nominal: $58,231
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $64,202

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,983/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,524)
  • Larger job market (72 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,236)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Lakewood if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Cincinnati grew 4.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.0% growth in Lakewood over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+4.7%

$57,390 (2019) → $60,088 (2025)

Lakewood, OH

+6.0%

$54,145 (2024) → $57,376 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Cincinnati or Lakewood?

Cincinnati has a higher median flight attendant salary at $60,983/year, compared to Lakewood at $58,231/year — a difference of $2,752 (4.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Lakewood?

Cincinnati flight attendants earn $29.32/hr while Lakewood hygienists earn $27.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Lakewood as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Lakewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $67,236, Lakewood = $64,202), job availability (72 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Cincinnati vs Lakewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $35,370 in Cincinnati and $33,774 in Lakewood. The Cincinnati 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