Flight Attendant Salary

New Orleans vs Sulphur: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between New Orleans, LA and Sulphur, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Orleans, LA
$59,109
$28.42/hr
Sulphur, LA
$53,023
$25.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LASulphur, LA
Median Salary$59,109$53,023
Hourly Rate$28.42$25.49
Entry Level (P10)$34,283$32,142
25th Percentile$47,151$44,834
75th Percentile$75,659$67,870
Top Earner (P90)$91,619$82,187
Total Employed805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($59,109) and Sulphur ($53,023) flight attendant salaries.New OrleansSulphurMedian Salary$59,109$53,023Entry Level (P10)$34,283$32,142Top Earner (P90)$91,619$82,187US Median $64,527

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sulphur.

The salary gap between New Orleans and Sulphur is $6,086 (11.48%). New Orleans's median is -8.40% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Orleans spans $57,336,Sulphur spans $50,045. New Orleans has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$34,283
P25$47,151
Median$59,109
P75$75,659
P90 (Top)$91,619
Sulphur
P10 (Entry)$32,142
P25$44,834
Median$53,023
P75$67,870
P90 (Top)$82,187

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($65,458 effective) pays 11.48% more than Sulphur ($58,719 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $59,109
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $65,458
Sulphur
Nominal: $53,023
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $58,719

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,109/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,619)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,458)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Sulphur if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in New Orleans grew 13.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.8% growth in Sulphur over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+13.8%

$51,195 (2024) → $58,241 (2025)

Sulphur, LA

+13.8%

$45,925 (2024) → $52,245 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: New Orleans or Sulphur?

New Orleans has a higher median flight attendant salary at $59,109/year, compared to Sulphur at $53,023/year — a difference of $6,086 (11.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Orleans and Sulphur?

New Orleans flight attendants earn $28.42/hr while Sulphur hygienists earn $25.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Orleans to Sulphur as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Sulphur. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $65,458, Sulphur = $58,719), job availability (80 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in New Orleans vs Sulphur?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $34,283 in New Orleans and $32,142 in Sulphur. The New Orleans 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