Flight Attendant Salary

Murray vs Owensboro: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Murray, KY and Owensboro, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Murray, KY
$53,157
$25.56/hr
Owensboro, KY
$57,299
$27.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMurray, KYOwensboro, KY
Median Salary$53,157$57,299
Hourly Rate$25.56$27.54
Entry Level (P10)$33,244$33,234
25th Percentile$45,690$45,918
75th Percentile$68,042$73,343
Top Earner (P90)$82,394$88,814
Total Employed414
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Murray ($53,157) and Owensboro ($57,299) flight attendant salaries.MurrayOwensboroMedian Salary$53,157$57,299Entry Level (P10)$33,244$33,234Top Earner (P90)$82,394$88,814US Median $64,527

Verdict

Owensboro, KY offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Murray.

The salary gap between Murray and Owensboro is $4,142 (7.79%). Owensboro's median is -11.20% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Murray spans $49,150,Owensboro spans $55,580. Owensboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Murray
P10 (Entry)$33,244
P25$45,690
Median$53,157
P75$68,042
P90 (Top)$82,394
Owensboro
P10 (Entry)$33,234
P25$45,918
Median$57,299
P75$73,343
P90 (Top)$88,814

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Owensboro ($64,165 effective) pays 7.79% more than Murray ($59,526 effective).

Murray
Nominal: $53,157
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $59,526
Owensboro
Nominal: $57,299
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $64,165

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Murray if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Owensboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,299/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($88,814)
  • Larger job market (14 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,165)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Murray grew 14.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.0% growth in Owensboro over the same period.

Murray, KY

+14.0%

$45,937 (2024) → $52,377 (2025)

Owensboro, KY

+14.0%

$49,517 (2024) → $56,458 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Murray or Owensboro?

Owensboro has a higher median flight attendant salary at $57,299/year, compared to Murray at $53,157/year — a difference of $4,142 (7.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Murray and Owensboro?

Murray flight attendants earn $25.56/hr while Owensboro hygienists earn $27.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Murray to Owensboro as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Murray and Owensboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Murray = $59,526, Owensboro = $64,165), job availability (4 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Murray vs Owensboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $33,244 in Murray and $33,234 in Owensboro. The Murray 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