Flight Attendant Salary

Cleveland vs Upper Arlington: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Cleveland, OH and Upper Arlington, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$62,335
$29.97/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$55,464
$26.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$62,335$55,464
Hourly Rate$29.97$26.66
Entry Level (P10)$36,155$32,169
25th Percentile$50,776$45,713
75th Percentile$79,789$70,994
Top Earner (P90)$96,619$85,970
Total Employed579
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($62,335) and Upper Arlington ($55,464) flight attendant salaries.ClevelandUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$62,335$55,464Entry Level (P10)$36,155$32,169Top Earner (P90)$96,619$85,970US Median $64,527

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Upper Arlington.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Upper Arlington is $6,871 (12.39%). Cleveland's median is -3.40% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $60,464,Upper Arlington spans $53,801. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$36,155
P25$50,776
Median$62,335
P75$79,789
P90 (Top)$96,619
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$32,169
P25$45,713
Median$55,464
P75$70,994
P90 (Top)$85,970

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($68,727 effective) pays 12.39% more than Upper Arlington ($61,151 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $62,335
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $68,727
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $55,464
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $61,151

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,335/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,619)
  • Larger job market (57 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,727)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Upper Arlington if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Cleveland grew 6.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.0% growth in Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+6.0%

$57,962 (2024) → $61,420 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+6.0%

$51,573 (2024) → $54,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Cleveland or Upper Arlington?

Cleveland has a higher median flight attendant salary at $62,335/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $55,464/year — a difference of $6,871 (12.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Upper Arlington?

Cleveland flight attendants earn $29.97/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $26.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Upper Arlington as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $68,727, Upper Arlington = $61,151), job availability (57 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Cleveland vs Upper Arlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $36,155 in Cleveland and $32,169 in Upper Arlington. The Cleveland 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