Flight Attendant Salary

Covington vs Lexington: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Covington, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Covington, KY
$56,079
$26.97/hr
Lexington, KY
$59,669
$28.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCovington, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$56,079$59,669
Hourly Rate$26.97$28.69
Entry Level (P10)$32,526$34,608
25th Percentile$45,554$48,867
75th Percentile$71,782$76,376
Top Earner (P90)$86,923$92,487
Total Employed982
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Covington ($56,079) and Lexington ($59,669) flight attendant salaries.CovingtonLexingtonMedian Salary$56,079$59,669Entry Level (P10)$32,526$34,608Top Earner (P90)$86,923$92,487US Median $64,527

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Covington.

The salary gap between Covington and Lexington is $3,590 (6.40%). Lexington's median is -7.53% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Covington spans $54,397,Lexington spans $57,879. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Covington
P10 (Entry)$32,526
P25$45,554
Median$56,079
P75$71,782
P90 (Top)$86,923
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$34,608
P25$48,867
Median$59,669
P75$76,376
P90 (Top)$92,487

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($66,819 effective) pays 6.40% more than Covington ($62,798 effective).

Covington
Nominal: $56,079
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $62,798
Lexington
Nominal: $59,669
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $66,819

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Covington if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,669/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,487)
  • Larger job market (82 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,819)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Covington grew 14.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.0% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Covington, KY

+14.0%

$48,463 (2024) → $55,256 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+14.0%

$51,565 (2024) → $58,793 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Covington or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median flight attendant salary at $59,669/year, compared to Covington at $56,079/year — a difference of $3,590 (6.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Covington and Lexington?

Covington flight attendants earn $26.97/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $28.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Covington to Lexington as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Covington and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Covington = $62,798, Lexington = $66,819), job availability (9 vs 82 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Covington vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $32,526 in Covington and $34,608 in Lexington. The Lexington 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