Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Aurora, IL: $29.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Aurora, IL runs $29.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Aurora's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,124 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Illinois, flight attendants earn a median hourly rate of $29.75, which is slightly below the national median of $31.02. This rate translates effectively for both part-time workers and those in per-diem roles, allowing flexibility in work schedules typical for FAs operating within commercial aircraft cabins, such as Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Entry-level positions start at around $17.25, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $46.11 per hour. These figures indicate a solid hourly range that appeals to those pursuing careers in aviation. The projected numbers focus on actual hours worked on flights and during boarding, emphasizing the pay structure determined largely by seniority and experience.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.25 | $138.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.29 | $186.34 |
| Median (P50) | $29.75 | $237.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.08 | $304.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.11 | $368.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Aurora
Based on $29.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.75/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Aurora, IL can expect to earn approximately $61,873 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,696. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Aurora.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Aurora
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,189.87 | $5,156 | $61,873 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $713.92 | $3,094 | $37,124 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.95 | $2,062 | $24,749 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Aurora) | $29.75 |
| 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 Aurora, IL earn a median of $61,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.30% below the Illinois state average of $62,687.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.75/hr = $37,124/year (purchasing power: $38,233).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,873/year (purchasing power: $63,721).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Aurora grew 12.3% from $26.11/hr (2019) to $29.31/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.19/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 Aurora 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 Aurora
Analyzing the part-time earning potential, flight attendants working just three days a week can still generate a significant income while balancing other commitments. Specifically, a 24-hour work week could mean taking home a substantial part of what full-time attendants earn annually. Moreover, the per diem flight attendant pay in Aurora can add a valuable edge to overall income, where allowances for meal and incidental expenses hover between $1.80 and $3.00 per hour for international flights. While some may anticipate higher hourly rates, others might opt for positions in major airlines, which offer benefits that could offset lower hourly earnings. The trade-off between hourly pay and benefits is essential for potential flight attendants, especially within the diverse spectrum of employers in Aurora, including major domestic carriers and regional airlines. When negotiating, aspiring flight attendants should keep these factors in mind to advocate for a pay structure that aligns with their financial goals while ensuring job satisfaction.
More salary data for Aurora, 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
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 Aurora. 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 Aurora 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