Flight Attendant Salary

Elk River vs St. Paul: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Elk River, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elk River, MN
$62,271
$29.94/hr
St. Paul, MN
$61,518
$29.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElk River, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$62,271$61,518
Hourly Rate$29.94$29.57
Entry Level (P10)$37,410$35,681
25th Percentile$52,447$49,667
75th Percentile$79,707$78,743
Top Earner (P90)$96,520$95,353
Total Employed480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elk River ($62,271) and St. Paul ($61,518) flight attendant salaries.Elk RiverSt. PaulMedian Salary$62,271$61,518Entry Level (P10)$37,410$35,681Top Earner (P90)$96,520$95,353US Median $64,527

Verdict

Elk River, MN offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Paul.

The salary gap between Elk River and St. Paul is $753 (1.22%). Elk River's median is -3.50% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elk River spans $59,110,St. Paul spans $59,672. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Elk River
P10 (Entry)$37,410
P25$52,447
Median$62,271
P75$79,707
P90 (Top)$96,520
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$35,681
P25$49,667
Median$61,518
P75$78,743
P90 (Top)$95,353

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Elk River ($63,219 effective) pays 1.22% more than St. Paul ($62,455 effective).

Elk River
Nominal: $62,271
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $63,219
St. Paul
Nominal: $61,518
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $62,455

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elk River if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,271/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,520)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,219)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Elk River grew -2.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -8.9% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Elk River, MN

+-2.2%

$62,728 (2024) → $61,357 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+-8.9%

$66,551 (2024) → $60,615 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Elk River or St. Paul?

Elk River has a higher median flight attendant salary at $62,271/year, compared to St. Paul at $61,518/year — a difference of $753 (1.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elk River and St. Paul?

Elk River flight attendants earn $29.94/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $29.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elk River to St. Paul as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elk River and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elk River = $63,219, St. Paul = $62,455), job availability (4 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Elk River vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $37,410 in Elk River and $35,681 in St. Paul. The Elk River 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