Flight Attendant Salary

Rockford vs Woodridge: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Rockford, IL and Woodridge, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rockford, IL
$62,145
$29.88/hr
Woodridge, IL
$61,562
$29.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRockford, ILWoodridge, IL
Median Salary$62,145$61,562
Hourly Rate$29.88$29.59
Entry Level (P10)$36,044$35,706
25th Percentile$50,321$49,683
75th Percentile$79,546$78,799
Top Earner (P90)$96,325$95,421
Total Employed349
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rockford ($62,145) and Woodridge ($61,562) flight attendant salaries.RockfordWoodridgeMedian Salary$62,145$61,562Entry Level (P10)$36,044$35,706Top Earner (P90)$96,325$95,421US Median $64,527

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodridge.

The salary gap between Rockford and Woodridge is $583 (0.95%). Rockford's median is -3.69% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rockford spans $60,281,Woodridge spans $59,715. Rockford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rockford
P10 (Entry)$36,044
P25$50,321
Median$62,145
P75$79,546
P90 (Top)$96,325
Woodridge
P10 (Entry)$35,706
P25$49,683
Median$61,562
P75$78,799
P90 (Top)$95,421

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($64,001 effective) pays 0.95% more than Woodridge ($63,401 effective).

Rockford
Nominal: $62,145
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $64,001
Woodridge
Nominal: $61,562
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $63,401

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,145/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,325)
  • Larger job market (34 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,001)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Woodridge if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Rockford grew -11.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -11.7% growth in Woodridge over the same period.

Rockford, IL

+-11.7%

$69,343 (2024) → $61,233 (2025)

Woodridge, IL

+-11.7%

$68,691 (2024) → $60,658 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Rockford or Woodridge?

Rockford has a higher median flight attendant salary at $62,145/year, compared to Woodridge at $61,562/year — a difference of $583 (0.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rockford and Woodridge?

Rockford flight attendants earn $29.88/hr while Woodridge hygienists earn $29.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rockford to Woodridge as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rockford and Woodridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rockford = $64,001, Woodridge = $63,401), job availability (34 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Rockford vs Woodridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $36,044 in Rockford and $35,706 in Woodridge. The Rockford 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