Flight Attendant Salary

Los Angeles vs Rialto: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Rialto, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$80,573
$38.74/hr
Rialto, CA
$74,326
$35.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CARialto, CA
Median Salary$80,573$74,326
Hourly Rate$38.74$35.73
Entry Level (P10)$48,847$43,109
25th Percentile$59,666$58,093
75th Percentile$95,786$95,138
Top Earner (P90)$114,734$115,205
Total Employed10,08017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($80,573) and Rialto ($74,326) flight attendant salaries.Los AngelesRialtoMedian Salary$80,573$74,326Entry Level (P10)$48,847$43,109Top Earner (P90)$114,734$115,205US Median $64,527

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rialto.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Rialto is $6,247 (8.40%). Los Angeles's median is +24.87% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $65,887,Rialto spans $72,096. Rialto has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$48,847
P25$59,666
Median$80,573
P75$95,786
P90 (Top)$114,734
Rialto
P10 (Entry)$43,109
P25$58,093
Median$74,326
P75$95,138
P90 (Top)$115,205

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($70,948 effective) pays 7.96% more than Rialto ($65,717 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,573
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,948
Rialto
Nominal: $74,326
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $65,717

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,573/year)
  • Larger job market (10,080 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,948)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Rialto if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($115,205)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Los Angeles grew 36.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -25.2% growth in Rialto over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+36.9%

$58,010 (2019) → $79,390 (2025)

Rialto, CA

+-25.2%

$97,908 (2024) → $73,235 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Los Angeles or Rialto?

Los Angeles has a higher median flight attendant salary at $80,573/year, compared to Rialto at $74,326/year — a difference of $6,247 (8.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Rialto?

Los Angeles flight attendants earn $38.74/hr while Rialto hygienists earn $35.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Rialto as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Rialto. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $70,948, Rialto = $65,717), job availability (10,080 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Los Angeles vs Rialto?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $48,847 in Los Angeles and $43,109 in Rialto. The Los Angeles 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