Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Buffalo Grove, IL: $29.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Buffalo Grove, IL runs $29.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,513 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Buffalo Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,909 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buffalo Grove, Illinois, flight attendants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $29.57, which is slightly below the national median of $31.02. This rate provides a solid income for those working three days a week, often balancing their schedules around various airline operations. Typical environments for flight attendants include commercial aircraft cabins such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, where they perform duties from boarding to in-flight service. The hourly pay range varies significantly; entry-level positions may start around $17.84, whereas experienced flight attendants can earn up to $45.84 per hour. Considering the hourly earnings derived from annual salaries allows prospective flight attendants in Buffalo Grove to effectively plan their financial futures, especially when factoring in expenses associated with work-related travel and layovers.
About the Buffalo Grove 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) | $17.84 | $142.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.99 | $199.89 |
| Median (P50) | $29.57 | $236.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.86 | $302.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.84 | $366.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo Grove
Based on $29.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.57/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo Grove, IL can expect to earn approximately $61,514 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,489. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,182.97 | $5,126 | $61,514 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $709.78 | $3,076 | $36,909 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.19 | $2,050 | $24,606 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Buffalo Grove) | $29.57 |
| 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 Buffalo Grove, IL earn a median of $61,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.67% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $62,641.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.57/hr = $36,909/year (purchasing power: $38,011).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,514/year (purchasing power: $63,352).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Buffalo Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Buffalo Grove grew 12.3% from $25.96/hr (2019) to $29.14/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.01/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 Buffalo Grove 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 Buffalo Grove
When examining what a part-time flight attendant can realistically bring home, those working three days a week and accumulating around 24 hours may earn approximately $30,000 annually. This frames their choice between full-time commitments and per-diem opportunities, often seen where flight attendants work on a needed basis for airlines, receiving additional per diem flight attendant pay in Buffalo Grove. Those working internationally can see effective hourly earnings spike due to tax-advantaged per diem rates, which often reach $1.80-$3.00 per hour for meals and incidentals. Additionally, nuanced complexities with different carrier types impact pay; major airlines typically offer more stable salaries with benefits while low-cost carriers may favor higher hourly rates without health perks. Understanding these distinctions can help prospective flight attendants negotiate their compensation effectively, ensuring a balance between hourly pay and the benefits they prioritize.
More salary data for Buffalo Grove, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for flight attendants in Buffalo Grove in 2026?
How much do part-time flight attendants make in Buffalo Grove?
Are flight attendants in Buffalo Grove paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time flight attendant make per year in Buffalo Grove?
Do flight attendants earn more per hour working part-time in Buffalo Grove?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Buffalo Grove. 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 Buffalo Grove 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