Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Modesto, CA: $35.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Modesto, CA runs $35.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,013 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Modesto's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,407 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Modesto, California, earn an estimated median hourly rate of $35.58 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $31.02. This disparity highlights the demand for flight attendants in this region, where the role involves various responsibilities such as managing passenger comfort on commercial flights and coordinating service operations within the cabin. For part-time flight attendants working roughly three days a week, the hourly pay can translate into a stable income while allowing flexibility for personal commitments. Additionally, there is a wide range of pay depending on experience; entry-level positions can start at $20.64 per hour, while seasoned professionals at the top of their career may earn as much as $55.15 an hour. This hourly pay structure is essential, particularly in settings like commercial aircraft cabins and during hotel layovers, where compensation is calculated based on hours actively in service.
About the Modesto Market
Salary estimated from California average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.64 | $165.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.75 | $221.98 |
| Median (P50) | $35.58 | $284.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.55 | $364.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.15 | $441.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Modesto
Based on $35.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.58/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Modesto, CA can expect to earn approximately $74,011 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,699. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Modesto.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Modesto
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,423.30 | $6,168 | $74,011 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $853.98 | $3,701 | $44,407 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $569.32 | $2,467 | $29,605 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Modesto) | $35.58 |
| 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 Modesto, CA earn a median of $74,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.70% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 1.40% above the California state average of $72,991.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.58/hr = $44,407/year (purchasing power: $39,263).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,011/year (purchasing power: $65,439).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$31.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.87/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Modesto grew 12.3% from $31.23/hr (2019) to $35.06/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.11/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 Modesto 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 Modesto
Considering the earning potential for part-time flight attendants, one working three days a week might get a take-home pay of about $27,354 annually, while full-time colleagues will far exceed this, further emphasizing the trade-offs between hours worked and benefits received. Per diem compensation, which varies for domestic and international trips—averaging between $1.80 to $3.00 per hour for international flights—adds an essential layer of earnings, often pushing effective pay into the $50 to $80 per hour range during busy travel seasons. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the employer type in Modesto, with regional airlines and low-cost carriers generally offering lower pay compared to larger US carriers that provide benefits like health insurance. Compensation negotiations are critical in this field; many flight attendants may choose slightly lower hourly rates for comprehensive benefits. For those in Modesto's competitive market, understanding salary structures and articulating one's worth to potential employers will be vital in the negotiation process.
More salary data for Modesto, CA:
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 Modesto. 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 Modesto 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