Flight Attendant Salary

Jersey City vs Lakewood: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Jersey City, NJ and Lakewood, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jersey City, NJ
$131,868
$63.40/hr
Lakewood, NJ
$73,754
$35.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJersey City, NJLakewood, NJ
Median Salary$131,868$73,754
Hourly Rate$63.40$35.46
Entry Level (P10)$76,484$42,777
25th Percentile$102,943$59,749
75th Percentile$168,791$94,405
Top Earner (P90)$204,396$114,318
Total Employed4231
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jersey City ($131,868) and Lakewood ($73,754) flight attendant salaries.Jersey CityLakewoodMedian Salary$131,868$73,754Entry Level (P10)$76,484$42,777Top Earner (P90)$204,396$114,318US Median $64,527

Verdict

Jersey City, NJ offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lakewood.

The salary gap between Jersey City and Lakewood is $58,114 (78.79%). Jersey City's median is +104.36% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jersey City spans $127,912,Lakewood spans $71,541. Jersey City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$76,484
P25$102,943
Median$131,868
P75$168,791
P90 (Top)$204,396
Lakewood
P10 (Entry)$42,777
P25$59,749
Median$73,754
P75$94,405
P90 (Top)$114,318

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($114,469 effective) pays 78.79% more than Lakewood ($64,023 effective).

Jersey City
Nominal: $131,868
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $114,469
Lakewood
Nominal: $73,754
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $64,023

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,868/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($204,396)
  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $114,469)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Lakewood if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Jersey City grew 38.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -18.5% growth in Lakewood over the same period.

Jersey City, NJ

+38.0%

$94,140 (2024) → $129,932 (2025)

Lakewood, NJ

+-18.5%

$89,154 (2024) → $72,671 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Jersey City or Lakewood?

Jersey City has a higher median flight attendant salary at $131,868/year, compared to Lakewood at $73,754/year — a difference of $58,114 (78.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jersey City and Lakewood?

Jersey City flight attendants earn $63.40/hr while Lakewood hygienists earn $35.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jersey City to Lakewood as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jersey City and Lakewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jersey City = $114,469, Lakewood = $64,023), job availability (42 vs 31 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Jersey City vs Lakewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $76,484 in Jersey City and $42,777 in Lakewood. The Jersey City 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