Flight Attendant Salary

Glendale vs Surprise: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Glendale, AZ and Surprise, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Glendale, AZ
$66,746
$32.09/hr
Surprise, AZ
$63,422
$30.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGlendale, AZSurprise, AZ
Median Salary$66,746$63,422
Hourly Rate$32.09$30.49
Entry Level (P10)$38,712$36,785
25th Percentile$52,293$51,800
75th Percentile$85,434$81,180
Top Earner (P90)$103,456$98,304
Total Employed5031
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Glendale ($66,746) and Surprise ($63,422) flight attendant salaries.GlendaleSurpriseMedian Salary$66,746$63,422Entry Level (P10)$38,712$36,785Top Earner (P90)$103,456$98,304US Median $64,527

Verdict

Glendale, AZ offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Surprise.

The salary gap between Glendale and Surprise is $3,324 (5.24%). Glendale's median is +3.44% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Glendale spans $64,744,Surprise spans $61,519. Glendale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Glendale
P10 (Entry)$38,712
P25$52,293
Median$66,746
P75$85,434
P90 (Top)$103,456
Surprise
P10 (Entry)$36,785
P25$51,800
Median$63,422
P75$81,180
P90 (Top)$98,304

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Glendale ($67,762 effective) pays 5.24% more than Surprise ($64,388 effective).

Glendale
Nominal: $66,746
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $67,762
Surprise
Nominal: $63,422
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $64,388

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Glendale if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,746/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,456)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,762)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Surprise if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Glendale grew 2.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.5% growth in Surprise over the same period.

Glendale, AZ

+2.5%

$64,132 (2024) → $65,766 (2025)

Surprise, AZ

+2.5%

$60,938 (2024) → $62,491 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Glendale or Surprise?

Glendale has a higher median flight attendant salary at $66,746/year, compared to Surprise at $63,422/year — a difference of $3,324 (5.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Glendale and Surprise?

Glendale flight attendants earn $32.09/hr while Surprise hygienists earn $30.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Glendale to Surprise as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Glendale and Surprise. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Glendale = $67,762, Surprise = $64,388), job availability (50 vs 31 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Glendale vs Surprise?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $38,712 in Glendale and $36,785 in Surprise. The Glendale 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