Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Topeka, KS: $28.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Topeka, KS runs $28.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,919 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Topeka's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,351 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Topeka, Kansas, the flight attendant hourly pay stands at a median of $28.33, which is noticeably below the national hourly median of $31.02. This difference has implications for part-time flight attendants who typically work around three days per week, as well as per-diem workers who may be entitled to additional compensation for time spent away from base. In their dynamic work environment, which includes commercial aircraft cabins such as Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 models, flight attendants navigate various settings including galley service stations, jumpseat positions during takeoff and landing, and hotel layovers. For entry-level flight attendants in Topeka, the hourly rate starts at $16.43, while experienced professionals can earn up to $43.90 per hour, reflecting the significant variance based on experience, airlines, and specific roles. These hourly rates are reflective of salary estimates drawn from annual salary data.
About the Topeka Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($55,000) 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) | $23.53 | $188.20 |
| Median (P50) | $28.33 | $226.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.26 | $290.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.90 | $351.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Topeka
Based on $28.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.33/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Topeka, KS can expect to earn approximately $58,918 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,991. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Topeka.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Topeka
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,133.03 | $4,910 | $58,918 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $679.82 | $2,946 | $35,351 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $453.21 | $1,964 | $23,567 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Topeka) | $28.33 |
| 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 Topeka, KS earn a median of $58,919 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.69% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.00% above the Kansas state average of $58,336.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.33/hr = $35,351/year (purchasing power: $38,890).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,918/year (purchasing power: $64,816).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.92/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Topeka grew 12.3% from $24.86/hr (2019) to $27.91/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.75/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 Topeka 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 Topeka
In terms of annual earnings potential, a flight attendant working part-time at an hourly rate could expect to take home considerably less than their full-time counterparts. For those working three days a week, totalling around 24 hours, this could mean an annual income markedly reduced compared to what full-time employees make. The per diem earnings also play a significant role; with flight attendants often receiving $1.80-$2.30 per hour domestically and $1.80-$3.00 per hour internationally for meal and incidentals, this adds a valuable tax-advantaged component to their compensation. Those in major US carriers may find that their pay is purely based on flying time, excluding layover duties, and this can greatly influence total earnings depending on flight volume and scheduled routes. Flight attendants in Topeka can also experience variations based on the type of airline they work for—be it a major, regional, or a low-cost carrier—which impacts benefits and pay scales. It's essential for workers to consider the trade-off between higher hourly pay at some airlines versus comprehensive benefits at others, allowing for strategic negotiation based on their immediate financial needs and long-term career goals.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for flight attendants in Topeka in 2026?
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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 Topeka. 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 Topeka 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