Flight Attendant Salary

New Orleans vs Zachary: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

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

New Orleans, LA
$59,109
$28.42/hr
Zachary, LA
$53,330
$25.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LAZachary, LA
Median Salary$59,109$53,330
Hourly Rate$28.42$25.64
Entry Level (P10)$34,283$32,785
25th Percentile$47,151$45,469
75th Percentile$75,659$68,262
Top Earner (P90)$91,619$82,662
Total Employed806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($59,109) and Zachary ($53,330) flight attendant salaries.New OrleansZacharyMedian Salary$59,109$53,330Entry Level (P10)$34,283$32,785Top Earner (P90)$91,619$82,662US Median $64,527

Verdict

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

The salary gap between New Orleans and Zachary is $5,779 (10.84%). 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,Zachary spans $49,877. 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
Zachary
P10 (Entry)$32,785
P25$45,469
Median$53,330
P75$68,262
P90 (Top)$82,662

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($65,458 effective) pays 10.84% more than Zachary ($59,059 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $59,109
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $65,458
Zachary
Nominal: $53,330
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $59,059

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 Zachary 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 Zachary over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+13.8%

$51,195 (2024) → $58,241 (2025)

Zachary, LA

+13.8%

$46,190 (2024) → $52,547 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New Orleans has a higher median flight attendant salary at $59,109/year, compared to Zachary at $53,330/year — a difference of $5,779 (10.84%).

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

New Orleans flight attendants earn $28.42/hr while Zachary hygienists earn $25.64/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Zachary. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $65,458, Zachary = $59,059), job availability (80 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $34,283 in New Orleans and $32,785 in Zachary. 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