Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Galesburg, IL: $28.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Galesburg, IL runs $28.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,437 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Galesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,667 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galesburg, Illinois, flight attendants earn a median hourly pay of $28.58, slightly lower than the national hourly median of $31.02. This rate reflects the typical earnings for flight attendants working within commercial airline environments, such as during their rotations on aircraft like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. Flight attendants primarily work full-time schedules, but there are also part-time opportunities that may involve working three days a week, and per-diem arrangements are common when traveling away from the base. The hourly pay range for this profession in Galesburg spans from approximately $16.57 for entry-level positions to $44.29 for the top earners, revealing a significant income potential based on experience and employer type. Keep in mind that these hourly rates are based on estimated annual salary data, which serves as a guideline for flight attendant compensation.
About the Galesburg 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) | $16.57 | $132.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.59 | $188.69 |
| Median (P50) | $28.58 | $228.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.58 | $292.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.29 | $354.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galesburg
Based on $28.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.58/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galesburg, IL can expect to earn approximately $59,446 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,296. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,143.18 | $4,954 | $59,446 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.91 | $2,972 | $35,667 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.27 | $1,982 | $23,778 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Galesburg) | $28.58 |
| 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 Galesburg, IL earn a median of $59,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.89% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $62,631.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.58/hr = $35,667/year (purchasing power: $36,733).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,446/year (purchasing power: $61,221).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Galesburg grew 12.3% from $25.09/hr (2019) to $28.16/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.01/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 Galesburg 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 Galesburg
When considering the earning potential for part-time flight attendants in Galesburg, working three days a week typically results in an annual take-home that is considerably lower compared to full-time peers, impacting overall financial stability. Additionally, flight attendants often receive per-diem compensation while away from their home base, which can significantly enhance their hourly earnings when including meal allowances, ranging between $1.80-$3.00 per hour internationally and $1.80-$2.30 domestically. While major carriers might provide a more structured pay scale, regional airlines and low-cost carriers often offer lower hourly rates but may include additional incentives or benefits. Flight attendants should consider this trade-off carefully; opting for a lower hourly rate might come with health insurance benefits, while pursuing higher rates at other operators may forego such perks. Effective negotiation strategies are key for hourly workers in Galesburg, with focus on discussing benefits, seniority, and the implications of different types of employment within the varied aviation job market.
More salary data for Galesburg, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for flight attendants in Galesburg in 2026?
How much do part-time flight attendants make in Galesburg?
Are flight attendants in Galesburg paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time flight attendant make per year in Galesburg?
Do flight attendants earn more per hour working part-time in Galesburg?
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 Galesburg. 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 Galesburg 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