Flight Attendant Salary

Kansas City vs Olathe: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Kansas City, KS and Olathe, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, KS
$59,315
$28.52/hr
Olathe, KS
$58,556
$28.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, KSOlathe, KS
Median Salary$59,315$58,556
Hourly Rate$28.52$28.15
Entry Level (P10)$34,403$33,963
25th Percentile$46,220$48,211
75th Percentile$75,923$74,951
Top Earner (P90)$91,938$90,761
Total Employed2533
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($59,315) and Olathe ($58,556) flight attendant salaries.Kansas CityOlatheMedian Salary$59,315$58,556Entry Level (P10)$34,403$33,963Top Earner (P90)$91,938$90,761US Median $64,527

Verdict

Kansas City, KS offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Olathe.

The salary gap between Kansas City and Olathe is $759 (1.30%). Kansas City's median is -8.08% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $57,535,Olathe spans $56,798. Kansas City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$34,403
P25$46,220
Median$59,315
P75$75,923
P90 (Top)$91,938
Olathe
P10 (Entry)$33,963
P25$48,211
Median$58,556
P75$74,951
P90 (Top)$90,761

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($65,253 effective) pays 1.30% more than Olathe ($64,418 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $59,315
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $65,253
Olathe
Nominal: $58,556
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $64,418

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,315/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,938)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,253)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Olathe if…

  • Larger job market (33 employed)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Kansas City grew 15.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.0% growth in Olathe over the same period.

Kansas City, KS

+15.0%

$50,816 (2024) → $58,444 (2025)

Olathe, KS

+15.0%

$50,166 (2024) → $57,696 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Kansas City or Olathe?

Kansas City has a higher median flight attendant salary at $59,315/year, compared to Olathe at $58,556/year — a difference of $759 (1.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and Olathe?

Kansas City flight attendants earn $28.52/hr while Olathe hygienists earn $28.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to Olathe as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Olathe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $65,253, Olathe = $64,418), job availability (25 vs 33 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Kansas City vs Olathe?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $34,403 in Kansas City and $33,963 in Olathe. The Kansas 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