Flight Attendant Salary

San Francisco vs Yuba City: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$90,763
$43.64/hr
Yuba City, CA
$72,415
$34.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAYuba City, CA
Median Salary$90,763$72,415
Hourly Rate$43.64$34.81
Entry Level (P10)$53,485$42,001
25th Percentile$61,797$60,979
75th Percentile$111,954$92,692
Top Earner (P90)$143,811$112,244
Total Employed4,42010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($90,763) and Yuba City ($72,415) flight attendant salaries.San FranciscoYuba CityMedian Salary$90,763$72,415Entry Level (P10)$53,485$42,001Top Earner (P90)$143,811$112,244US Median $64,527

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Yuba City.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Yuba City is $18,348 (25.34%). San Francisco's median is +40.66% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $90,326,Yuba City spans $70,243. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$53,485
P25$61,797
Median$90,763
P75$111,954
P90 (Top)$143,811
Yuba City
P10 (Entry)$42,001
P25$60,979
Median$72,415
P75$92,692
P90 (Top)$112,244

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($78,506 effective) pays 22.61% more than Yuba City ($64,027 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $90,763
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $78,506
Yuba City
Nominal: $72,415
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $64,027

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,763/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($143,811)
  • Larger job market (4,420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,506)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Yuba City if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in San Francisco grew 62.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -25.2% growth in Yuba City over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+62.2%

$55,140 (2019) → $89,430 (2025)

Yuba City, CA

+-25.2%

$95,391 (2024) → $71,352 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: San Francisco or Yuba City?

San Francisco has a higher median flight attendant salary at $90,763/year, compared to Yuba City at $72,415/year — a difference of $18,348 (25.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Yuba City?

San Francisco flight attendants earn $43.64/hr while Yuba City hygienists earn $34.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Yuba City as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Yuba City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $78,506, Yuba City = $64,027), job availability (4,420 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in San Francisco vs Yuba City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $53,485 in San Francisco and $42,001 in Yuba City. The San Francisco 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