Flight Attendant Salary

Raleigh vs Statesville: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Raleigh, NC and Statesville, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raleigh, NC
$63,725
$30.64/hr
Statesville, NC
$59,895
$28.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCStatesville, NC
Median Salary$63,725$59,895
Hourly Rate$30.64$28.79
Entry Level (P10)$36,961$34,739
25th Percentile$48,828$49,027
75th Percentile$81,568$76,666
Top Earner (P90)$98,773$92,838
Total Employed1047
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($63,725) and Statesville ($59,895) flight attendant salaries.RaleighStatesvilleMedian Salary$63,725$59,895Entry Level (P10)$36,961$34,739Top Earner (P90)$98,773$92,838US Median $64,527

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Statesville.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Statesville is $3,830 (6.39%). Raleigh's median is -1.24% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $61,812,Statesville spans $58,099. Raleigh has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$36,961
P25$48,828
Median$63,725
P75$81,568
P90 (Top)$98,773
Statesville
P10 (Entry)$34,739
P25$49,027
Median$59,895
P75$76,666
P90 (Top)$92,838

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($68,082 effective) pays 6.39% more than Statesville ($63,990 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $63,725
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $68,082
Statesville
Nominal: $59,895
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $63,990

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,725/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,773)
  • Larger job market (104 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,082)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Statesville if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Raleigh grew 8.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.6% growth in Statesville over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+8.5%

$57,880 (2019) → $62,789 (2025)

Statesville, NC

+9.6%

$53,837 (2024) → $59,016 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Raleigh or Statesville?

Raleigh has a higher median flight attendant salary at $63,725/year, compared to Statesville at $59,895/year — a difference of $3,830 (6.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Statesville?

Raleigh flight attendants earn $30.64/hr while Statesville hygienists earn $28.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Statesville as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Statesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $68,082, Statesville = $63,990), job availability (104 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Raleigh vs Statesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $36,961 in Raleigh and $34,739 in Statesville. The Raleigh 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