Flight Attendant Salary

Minnetonka vs Rochester: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Minnetonka, MN and Rochester, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Minnetonka, MN
$62,800
$30.19/hr
Rochester, MN
$63,981
$30.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinnetonka, MNRochester, MN
Median Salary$62,800$63,981
Hourly Rate$30.19$30.76
Entry Level (P10)$36,424$37,109
25th Percentile$52,563$52,921
75th Percentile$80,384$81,896
Top Earner (P90)$97,340$99,171
Total Employed1229
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minnetonka ($62,800) and Rochester ($63,981) flight attendant salaries.MinnetonkaRochesterMedian Salary$62,800$63,981Entry Level (P10)$36,424$37,109Top Earner (P90)$97,340$99,171US Median $64,527

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Minnetonka.

The salary gap between Minnetonka and Rochester is $1,181 (1.88%). Rochester's median is -0.85% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Minnetonka spans $60,916,Rochester spans $62,062. Rochester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Minnetonka
P10 (Entry)$36,424
P25$52,563
Median$62,800
P75$80,384
P90 (Top)$97,340
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$37,109
P25$52,921
Median$63,981
P75$81,896
P90 (Top)$99,171

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($64,955 effective) pays 1.88% more than Minnetonka ($63,756 effective).

Minnetonka
Nominal: $62,800
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $63,756
Rochester
Nominal: $63,981
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $64,955

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Minnetonka if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,981/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,171)
  • Larger job market (29 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,955)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Minnetonka grew -2.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -2.2% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Minnetonka, MN

+-2.2%

$63,261 (2024) → $61,878 (2025)

Rochester, MN

+-2.2%

$64,451 (2024) → $63,042 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Minnetonka or Rochester?

Rochester has a higher median flight attendant salary at $63,981/year, compared to Minnetonka at $62,800/year — a difference of $1,181 (1.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Minnetonka and Rochester?

Minnetonka flight attendants earn $30.19/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $30.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Minnetonka to Rochester as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Minnetonka and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Minnetonka = $63,756, Rochester = $64,955), job availability (12 vs 29 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Minnetonka vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $36,424 in Minnetonka and $37,109 in Rochester. The Rochester 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