Flight Attendant Salary

Los Angeles vs San Leandro: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$80,573
$38.74/hr
San Leandro, CA
$71,733
$34.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CASan Leandro, CA
Median Salary$80,573$71,733
Hourly Rate$38.74$34.49
Entry Level (P10)$48,847$41,848
25th Percentile$59,666$59,592
75th Percentile$95,786$91,818
Top Earner (P90)$114,734$111,186
Total Employed10,08023
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($80,573) and San Leandro ($71,733) flight attendant salaries.Los AngelesSan LeandroMedian Salary$80,573$71,733Entry Level (P10)$48,847$41,848Top Earner (P90)$114,734$111,186US Median $64,527

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and San Leandro is $8,840 (12.32%). 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,San Leandro spans $69,338. San Leandro 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
San Leandro
P10 (Entry)$41,848
P25$59,592
Median$71,733
P75$91,818
P90 (Top)$111,186

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($70,948 effective) pays 11.86% more than San Leandro ($63,424 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $80,573
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $70,948
San Leandro
Nominal: $71,733
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $63,424

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($114,734)
  • Larger job market (10,080 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,948)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Leandro if…

  • 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 San Leandro over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+36.9%

$58,010 (2019) → $79,390 (2025)

San Leandro, CA

+-25.2%

$94,492 (2024) → $70,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Los Angeles or San Leandro?

Los Angeles has a higher median flight attendant salary at $80,573/year, compared to San Leandro at $71,733/year — a difference of $8,840 (12.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and San Leandro?

Los Angeles flight attendants earn $38.74/hr while San Leandro hygienists earn $34.49/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and San Leandro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $70,948, San Leandro = $63,424), job availability (10,080 vs 23 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $48,847 in Los Angeles and $41,848 in San Leandro. 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