Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Bloomington, IL: $29.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Bloomington, IL runs $29.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,781 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Bloomington's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,465 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, the flight attendant hourly pay is projected to reach $29.22 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $31.02 for flight attendants. This hourly rate translates into moderate earnings for part-time flight attendants working three days per week, who can expect to take home approximately $36,000 annually with a typical schedule of around 24 hours. On the flip side, full-time flight attendants may earn significantly more, particularly those at the top of the pay scale, which can range from $16.95 for entry-level positions to $45.29 for seasoned professionals. These figures suggest that the Bloomington area composes a competitive environment, especially considering the regional nuances like hotel layovers and various airline operational protocols typically found at base airports and during flights on aircraft such as the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320.
About the Bloomington 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) | $16.95 | $135.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.82 | $190.56 |
| Median (P50) | $29.22 | $233.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.40 | $299.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.29 | $362.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomington
Based on $29.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.22/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomington, IL can expect to earn approximately $60,775 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,063. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bloomington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.76 | $5,065 | $60,775 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $701.26 | $3,039 | $36,465 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.50 | $2,026 | $24,310 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Bloomington) | $29.22 |
| 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 Bloomington, IL earn a median of $60,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.81% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $62,661.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.22/hr = $36,465/year (purchasing power: $37,554).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,775/year (purchasing power: $62,591).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Bloomington grew 12.3% from $25.65/hr (2019) to $28.79/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.65/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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington
Focusing on part-time and per-diem opportunities is essential for those considering a career as a flight attendant. A flight attendant working within this capacity, especially domestically, can take home a substantial amount annually despite a part-time schedule. Per-diem flight attendant pay in Bloomington typically ranges from $1.80 to $2.30 for domestic routes, and can skyrocket when taking international flights, where rates can climb to $3.00 per hour. With potential earnings boosted by these per-diem rates, effective hourly compensation can reach between $50 and $80 during international trips. Furthermore, earnings differ based on the type of airline — major U.S. carriers like Delta and United often provide greater financial stability compared to low-cost carriers or regional airlines, which may offer less pay but sometimes greater flexibility. Flight attendants often have to choose between higher pay without benefits or a lower hourly wage with health insurance, making negotiations around pay structures a critical skill in Bloomington's unique aviation market.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Bloomington. 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 Bloomington 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