Flight Attendant Salary

Hammond vs New Orleans: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Hammond, LA and New Orleans, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hammond, LA
$53,882
$25.90/hr
New Orleans, LA
$59,109
$28.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHammond, LANew Orleans, LA
Median Salary$53,882$59,109
Hourly Rate$25.90$28.42
Entry Level (P10)$32,392$34,283
25th Percentile$45,406$47,151
75th Percentile$68,969$75,659
Top Earner (P90)$83,517$91,619
Total Employed480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hammond ($53,882) and New Orleans ($59,109) flight attendant salaries.HammondNew OrleansMedian Salary$53,882$59,109Entry Level (P10)$32,392$34,283Top Earner (P90)$83,517$91,619US Median $64,527

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hammond.

The salary gap between Hammond and New Orleans is $5,227 (9.70%). New Orleans's median is -8.40% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hammond spans $51,125,New Orleans spans $57,336. New Orleans has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Hammond
P10 (Entry)$32,392
P25$45,406
Median$53,882
P75$68,969
P90 (Top)$83,517
New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$34,283
P25$47,151
Median$59,109
P75$75,659
P90 (Top)$91,619

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($65,458 effective) pays 9.70% more than Hammond ($59,670 effective).

Hammond
Nominal: $53,882
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $59,670
New Orleans
Nominal: $59,109
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $65,458

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hammond if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,109/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,619)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,458)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Hammond grew 13.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.8% growth in New Orleans over the same period.

Hammond, LA

+13.8%

$46,668 (2024) → $53,091 (2025)

New Orleans, LA

+13.8%

$51,195 (2024) → $58,241 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Hammond or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a higher median flight attendant salary at $59,109/year, compared to Hammond at $53,882/year — a difference of $5,227 (9.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hammond and New Orleans?

Hammond flight attendants earn $25.90/hr while New Orleans hygienists earn $28.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hammond to New Orleans as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hammond and New Orleans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hammond = $59,670, New Orleans = $65,458), job availability (4 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Hammond vs New Orleans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $32,392 in Hammond and $34,283 in New Orleans. The New Orleans area offers higher starting salaries.
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