Entry-Level Flight Attendant Salary in Moline, IL: $35,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:New flight attendants entering the Moline, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $35,875 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moline's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,946 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,853) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Moline, Illinois, presents a unique entry-level opportunity for aspiring flight attendants, with starting pay pegged at approximately $35,875 in 2026. This amount falls significantly below the city's median annual salary of $61,853, indicating that new graduates may need to consider the broader trajectory of their earnings as they gain experience. Over the first few years, individuals can expect their pay to rise steadily from the lower end of the scale towards the median, with many likely reaching around $50,280 after gaining a couple of years of experience. Given the projected growth rate of 1.49%, Moline offers a relatively stable environment for new grad flight attendant pay in IL, making it an appealing choice for individuals looking to enter the aviation industry.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moline
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moline
Entry-level flight attendants in Moline, IL typically start between $35,875 and $50,280 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,998 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,853 — 4.14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Illinois of $3,000 represents just 8.36% of the starting flight attendant pay ($35,875/year) in Moline. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Initial training is typically provided (paid or unpaid stipend) by the hiring airline, so direct tuition costs are minimal. Some candidates attend optional preparatory flight attendant schools. Cost estimates primarily reflect travel, relocation, and pre-training preparatory expenses.
FA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Moline
- 1Research the Moline market: entry-level flight attendant pay ranges from $35,875 to $50,280, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Moline, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Moline for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Moline's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Flight Attendant Compensation Range
The flight attendant wage spread in Moline is $59,998 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $35,875, experienced hygienists can earn up to $95,873.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,468
2025 BLS Actual
$35,348
2026 Current Est.
$35,875
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,468 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,271 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,945 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,848 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,029 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,409 | Projected |
Entry-level flight attendant compensation (10th percentile) in Moline, IL grew 20.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,468 in 2019 to $35,348 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $36,409. New graduates entering the Moline job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.49% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your aviation Career in Moline
Employers in Moline feature a mix of regional airlines such as SkyWest and Republic that often recruit new flight attendants, offering structured training programs and faster upgrade paths, albeit with lower initial pay rates. Major airlines, including Delta and United, provide even more competitive environments, where acceptance rates might be as low as 1-2%. Low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier tend to hire entry-level attendants quickly with brief training, whereas private aviation requires extensive experience. Credentials such as the FAA-issued Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency can significantly enhance starting flight attendant salary in Moline, along with language skills for international routes. Within the first three years, realistic salary progression will vary, but flight attendants who prioritize seniority and hone their skills can look forward to eventual increases up to $80,000 or more annually in the long term.
More salary data for Moline, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Moline. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moline is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.49%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for flight attendants (SOC 53-2031).
Compiled and verified by Emily Johnson, AFA-CWA, a licensed flight attendant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov