Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Gary, IN: $28.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Gary, IN runs $28.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,940 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Gary's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,363 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Hourly compensation for flight attendants in Gary, Indiana is projected to reach a median of $28.34 in 2026, which places it below the national hourly median of $31.02. This disparity is significant for those considering a career in aviation, particularly for part-time workers who might operate on a typical three-day workweek, often totaling 24 hours. In the intensive environment of commercial aircraft cabins, whether on Boeing or Airbus models, flight attendants are paid hourly for boarding and flight time, with additional benefits from scheduled layovers. The hourly pay scales within Gary range from $16.43 for entry-level positions to $43.92 for top earners, reflecting a competitive, yet varied, landscape dependent on tenure and the specific flight operations. With a cost of living index of 91.3, aspiring flight attendants may find their earnings can stretch further than in higher-cost regions, making the flight attendant hourly pay in Gary quite appealing.
About the Gary Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.43 | $131.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.47 | $179.76 |
| Median (P50) | $28.34 | $226.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.27 | $290.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.92 | $351.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gary
Based on $28.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.34/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gary, IN can expect to earn approximately $58,939 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,003. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,133.44 | $4,912 | $58,939 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $680.06 | $2,947 | $35,363 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $453.38 | $1,965 | $23,576 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Gary) | $28.34 |
| 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 Gary, IN earn a median of $58,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.66% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 0.10% above the Indiana state average of $58,881.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.34/hr = $35,363/year (purchasing power: $38,733).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,939/year (purchasing power: $64,555).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Gary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Gary grew 12.3% from $24.87/hr (2019) to $27.92/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.76/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 Gary 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 Gary
Let's analyze the practical implications of flight attendant work schedules and compensation in Gary, particularly for those considering part-time roles. A flight attendant working three days a week at the median hourly rate can take home about $36,000 annually, which is a significant income in the region. For those pursuing per diem flight attendant pay in Gary, the reality often includes additional, tax-advantaged compensation ranging between $1.80 and $3.00 per hour for international flights. With this per diem, effective earnings for long-haul routes can soar to $50-$80 per hour, despite the junior reserve flight attendants sometimes facing unpaid hours. The hourly rates also vary considerably depending on the airline type, with major U.S. carriers offering more stability and benefits compared to low-cost and regional airlines. While some flight attendants might accept lower hourly pay for health insurance and job security, others may prioritize higher hourly rates found at airlines without benefits. Effective negotiation tips for hourly workers in Gary include knowing the industry standards and aligning with peer groups to ensure fair compensation reflective of the demands and responsibilities of the role.
More salary data for Gary, IN:
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 Gary. 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 Gary 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