Flight Attendant Salary

Oakley vs San Diego: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

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

Oakley, CA
$70,646
$33.97/hr
San Diego, CA
$77,327
$37.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOakley, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$70,646$77,327
Hourly Rate$33.97$37.18
Entry Level (P10)$40,975$44,849
25th Percentile$60,030$61,627
75th Percentile$90,428$98,979
Top Earner (P90)$109,502$119,858
Total Employed8307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oakley ($70,646) and San Diego ($77,327) flight attendant salaries.OakleySan DiegoMedian Salary$70,646$77,327Entry Level (P10)$40,975$44,849Top Earner (P90)$109,502$119,858US Median $64,527

Verdict

San Diego, CA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oakley.

The salary gap between Oakley and San Diego is $6,681 (9.46%). San Diego's median is +19.84% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oakley spans $68,527,San Diego spans $75,009. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Oakley
P10 (Entry)$40,975
P25$60,030
Median$70,646
P75$90,428
P90 (Top)$109,502
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$44,849
P25$61,627
Median$77,327
P75$98,979
P90 (Top)$119,858

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($68,370 effective) pays 9.46% more than Oakley ($62,463 effective).

Oakley
Nominal: $70,646
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $62,463
San Diego
Nominal: $77,327
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $68,370

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oakley if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,327/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,858)
  • Larger job market (307 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,370)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Oakley grew -25.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 23.6% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Oakley, CA

+-25.2%

$93,061 (2024) → $69,609 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+23.6%

$61,650 (2020) → $76,192 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Oakley or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median flight attendant salary at $77,327/year, compared to Oakley at $70,646/year — a difference of $6,681 (9.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oakley and San Diego?

Oakley flight attendants earn $33.97/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $37.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oakley to San Diego as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oakley and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oakley = $62,463, San Diego = $68,370), job availability (8 vs 307 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Oakley vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $40,975 in Oakley and $44,849 in San Diego. The San Diego 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