Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Smyrna, DE: $28.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Smyrna, DE runs $28.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,174 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,111 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, DE, flight attendants can expect a median hourly rate of $28.93, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.02. This hourly pay reflects the estimated compensation in various environments typical for aviation professionals, including commercial aircraft cabins on models like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, where they manage galley services and occupy jumpseats during takeoff and landing. For part-time flight attendants working about three days a week, the hourly pay allows for a flexible schedule that can be quite appealing. The salary range in Smyrna varies from $17.63 at the lower end to $44.84 for the highest earners, promising a pathway from entry-level positions to more lucrative roles, although the hourly rates are derived from annual salary data projections for 2026.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.63 | $141.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.53 | $196.24 |
| Median (P50) | $28.93 | $231.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.03 | $296.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.84 | $358.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $28.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.93/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, DE can expect to earn approximately $60,184 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,722. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,157.39 | $5,015 | $60,184 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $694.44 | $3,009 | $36,111 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.96 | $2,006 | $24,074 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Smyrna) | $28.93 |
| 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 Smyrna, DE earn a median of $60,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.75% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 7.40% below the Delaware state average of $64,983.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.93/hr = $36,111/year (purchasing power: $35,507).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,184/year (purchasing power: $59,178).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Smyrna (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Smyrna grew 12.3% from $25.40/hr (2019) to $28.51/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.37/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Focusing on part-time earning potential, a flight attendant working three days per week for 24 hours would take home roughly $36,000 annually. This contrasts sharply with full-time counterparts, who could see yearly earnings exceeding $60,000 with more robust hours. Many flight attendants also receive per diem pay, which typically ranges from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour when flying internationally. This additional income can significantly increase their overall hourly effective rate during those busy travel days. Additionally, flight attendant hourly pay in Smyrna varies widely by employer type, with major U.S. carriers generally offering more comprehensive benefits compared to low-cost carriers, which might provide higher hourly pay but with limited health insurance options. Negotiating pay can be strategic; flight attendants often consider the trade-off between hourly wages and benefits, especially since seniority-based pay scales can dramatically impact earning trajectories over time.
More salary data for Smyrna, DE:
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 Smyrna. 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 Smyrna 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