Flight Attendant Salary

Sacramento vs Stockton: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Sacramento, CA and Stockton, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sacramento, CA
$77,794
$37.40/hr
Stockton, CA
$75,106
$36.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAStockton, CA
Median Salary$77,794$75,106
Hourly Rate$37.40$36.11
Entry Level (P10)$45,120$43,562
25th Percentile$60,876$58,167
75th Percentile$99,577$96,135
Top Earner (P90)$120,581$116,414
Total Employed9471
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($77,794) and Stockton ($75,106) flight attendant salaries.SacramentoStocktonMedian Salary$77,794$75,106Entry Level (P10)$45,120$43,562Top Earner (P90)$120,581$116,414US Median $64,527

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Stockton.

The salary gap between Sacramento and Stockton is $2,688 (3.58%). Sacramento's median is +20.56% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $75,461,Stockton spans $72,852. Sacramento has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$45,120
P25$60,876
Median$77,794
P75$99,577
P90 (Top)$120,581
Stockton
P10 (Entry)$43,562
P25$58,167
Median$75,106
P75$96,135
P90 (Top)$116,414

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($68,783 effective) pays 3.58% more than Stockton ($66,407 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $77,794
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $68,783
Stockton
Nominal: $75,106
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $66,407

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,794/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($120,581)
  • Larger job market (94 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,783)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Stockton if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Sacramento, CA

+-25.2%

$102,476 (2024) → $76,652 (2025)

Stockton, CA

+-25.2%

$98,935 (2024) → $74,003 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Sacramento or Stockton?

Sacramento has a higher median flight attendant salary at $77,794/year, compared to Stockton at $75,106/year — a difference of $2,688 (3.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Stockton?

Sacramento flight attendants earn $37.40/hr while Stockton hygienists earn $36.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to Stockton as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Stockton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $68,783, Stockton = $66,407), job availability (94 vs 71 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Sacramento vs Stockton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $45,120 in Sacramento and $43,562 in Stockton. The Sacramento 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