Flight Attendant Salary

Puyallup vs Seattle: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Puyallup, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Puyallup, WA
$66,360
$31.91/hr
Seattle, WA
$76,219
$36.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPuyallup, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$66,360$76,219
Hourly Rate$31.91$36.65
Entry Level (P10)$39,359$48,766
25th Percentile$55,515$64,152
75th Percentile$84,941$100,668
Top Earner (P90)$102,858$137,336
Total Employed10N/A
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Puyallup ($66,360) and Seattle ($76,219) flight attendant salaries.PuyallupSeattleMedian Salary$66,360$76,219Entry Level (P10)$39,359$48,766Top Earner (P90)$102,858$137,336US Median $64,527

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Puyallup.

The salary gap between Puyallup and Seattle is $9,859 (14.86%). Seattle's median is +18.12% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Puyallup spans $63,499,Seattle spans $88,570. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Puyallup
P10 (Entry)$39,359
P25$55,515
Median$66,360
P75$84,941
P90 (Top)$102,858
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$48,766
P25$64,152
Median$76,219
P75$100,668
P90 (Top)$137,336

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($68,584 effective) pays 11.00% more than Puyallup ($61,788 effective).

Puyallup
Nominal: $66,360
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $61,788
Seattle
Nominal: $76,219
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $68,584

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Puyallup if…

  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,219/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,336)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,584)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Puyallup grew -15.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.9% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Puyallup, WA

+-15.2%

$77,130 (2024) → $65,386 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+7.9%

$69,570 (2019) → $75,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Puyallup or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median flight attendant salary at $76,219/year, compared to Puyallup at $66,360/year — a difference of $9,859 (14.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Puyallup and Seattle?

Puyallup flight attendants earn $31.91/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $36.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Puyallup to Seattle as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Puyallup and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Puyallup = $61,788, Seattle = $68,584), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Puyallup vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $39,359 in Puyallup and $48,766 in Seattle. The Seattle 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