Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $28.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $28.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,293 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,174 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, flight attendants earn a median hourly pay of $28.99, which falls below the national average of $31.02 per hour. This hourly rate significantly influences the financial outlook for those working part-time, such as those who may only schedule shifts three days a week. Working in typical environments, like commercial aircraft cabins on Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s, flight attendants manage various responsibilities, including galley service and safety during takeoff and landing. The hourly pay range in the area varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $16.82 and top earners potentially reaching $44.93 per hour. It’s essential to consider that these rates are derived from projected annual salary data, reflecting not only the compensation structure but also the work conditions faced by flight attendants based in Chapel Hill.
About the Chapel Hill Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.82 | $134.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.89 | $183.09 |
| Median (P50) | $28.99 | $231.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.10 | $296.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.93 | $359.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $28.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.99/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $60,290 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,783. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,159.42 | $5,024 | $60,290 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.65 | $3,014 | $36,174 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.77 | $2,010 | $24,116 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Chapel Hill) | $28.99 |
| 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 Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $60,293 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 0.20% below the North Carolina state average of $60,414.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.99/hr = $36,174/year (purchasing power: $38,647).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,290/year (purchasing power: $64,412).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Chapel Hill grew 12.3% from $25.44/hr (2019) to $28.56/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.42/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 Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill
When assessing the earning potential for part-time flight attendants in Chapel Hill, it’s insightful to consider how those committed to a 3-day workweek might fare financially. A flight attendant working 24 hours a week at $28.99 per hour would earn approximately $36,000 annually, a significant income for those balancing another job or studies. Additionally, per diem pay, critical in the airline industry, enhances total earnings. For domestic trips, per diem can add $1.80 to $2.30 per hour, translating to a boost in monthly income, especially during long-haul international assignments, where effective hourly rates may soar to between $50 and $80 when factoring in per diem. Moreover, earnings vary across different airline segments in Chapel Hill, with major US carriers typically offering higher hourly wages due to union representation and seniority-based pay scales. In negotiations, aspiring flight attendants should consider the benefits trade-off, weighing the higher hourly rates from corporations against the health insurance and retirement plans provided by major airlines, which can influence long-term financial stability.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for flight attendants in Chapel Hill 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 Chapel Hill. 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 Chapel Hill 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