Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Metairie, LA: $27.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Metairie, LA runs $27.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,126 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Metairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,882 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Metairie, Louisiana, receive a median hourly pay of $27.95, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $31.02. This disparity reflects not only the local economic landscape but also the nature of the industry, where pay often varies significantly based on airline type and regional differences. For part-time flight attendants working three days a week, the compensation can still be considerable, given the variety of duties carried out in commercial aircraft cabins, from managing galley service to attending to passengers in jumpseat positions during takeoff and landing. Hourly earnings in the area range from $16.21 for entry-level positions up to $43.32 for more experienced professionals, allowing for a diverse earning potential depending on experience, airline affiliation, and route assignments.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.21 | $129.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.34 | $186.74 |
| Median (P50) | $27.95 | $223.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.77 | $286.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.32 | $346.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Metairie
Based on $27.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.95/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Metairie, LA can expect to earn approximately $58,137 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,540. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Metairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Metairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,118.01 | $4,845 | $58,137 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $670.81 | $2,907 | $34,882 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $447.21 | $1,938 | $23,255 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Metairie) | $27.95 |
| 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 Metairie, LA earn a median of $58,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.92% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.40% above the Louisiana state average of $57,324.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.95/hr = $34,882/year (purchasing power: $38,629).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,137/year (purchasing power: $64,382).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Metairie grew 12.3% from $24.53/hr (2019) to $27.54/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.37/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 Metairie 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 Metairie
Looking at the potential income of part-time attendants, those working a 24-hour week could expect to take home about $43,868 as a summary of their pay within a year. Per-diem compensations add another layer of financial benefit, usually between $1.80 to $3.00 per hour for international work and offering a tax advantage. When factoring these per diem rates, effective hourly earnings can soar to between $50 and $80 depending on the airline and work specifics. However, this profession often involves unpredictable hours, especially for junior reserve flight attendants, who may endure unpaid wait times while on call. The variance in hourly rates reflects not only employer type—ranging from major U.S. carriers to low-cost and regional airlines—but also the benefits trade-off. Some flight attendants opt for positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job security, while others prioritize higher wages without benefits, illustrating the need for negotiation skills in Metairie’s competitive job market.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for flight attendants in Metairie in 2026?
How much do part-time flight attendants make in Metairie?
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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 Metairie. 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 Metairie 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