Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $26.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Decatur, AL runs $26.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,922 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,552 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, flight attendants earn a median hourly rate of $26.88, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.02. This hourly pay impacts both full-time and part-time workers, particularly those who operate on a 3-day work week in various environments, from Boeing 737s to A320s, ensuring onboard safety and service in commercial cabins. For entry-level positions, the hourly pay starts around $15.59, while veteran flight attendants may earn up to $41.67 hourly, reflecting a typical seniority-based pay scale. Workers often perform duties at various points, including galley service and jumpseat positions, which can result in differing pay structures depending on the employer type, whether it be major carriers, regional airlines, or charter services.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.59 | $124.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.34 | $170.75 |
| Median (P50) | $26.88 | $215.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.42 | $275.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.67 | $333.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $26.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.88/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $55,920 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,262. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,075.39 | $4,660 | $55,920 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.23 | $2,796 | $33,552 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.16 | $1,864 | $22,368 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Decatur) | $26.88 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Air Traffic Controller (National Avg) | $66.35 |
| Travel Agent (National Avg) | $22.99 |
| Hotel / Cruise Desk Clerk (National Avg) | $16.49 |
Flight Attendants in Decatur, AL earn a median of $55,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.34% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $55,810.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.88/hr = $33,552/year (purchasing power: $38,171).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,920/year (purchasing power: $63,618).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Decatur grew 12.3% from $23.60/hr (2019) to $26.49/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem flight attendants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Working as an Hourly Flight Attendant in Decatur
For part-time flight attendants in Decatur, working a 3-day week typically results in an annual take-home that varies significantly compared to full-time positions. Although the actual figure fluctuates with personal schedules, this part-time schedule would yield around $31,000 annually, a considerable difference from full-time earnings. Per diem pay for travel can enhance overall compensation, generally providing $1.80 to $3.00 per hour for international routes and slightly lower for domestic flights, further augmenting effective hourly rates. Specialized roles in corporate aviation or feeder services may yield varied compensation structures, with some flight attendants choosing lower hourly pay for benefits like health insurance, while others may prioritize higher pay without such perks. When entering negotiations, it’s beneficial for flight attendants in Decatur to understand their unique position and priorities, which can help in securing more favorable terms based on the competitive landscape of pay across different airline types.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for flight attendants in Decatur. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Decatur 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