Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Matthews, NC: $28.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Matthews, NC runs $28.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,704 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Matthews's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,819 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Matthews, North Carolina, flight attendants earn a median hourly pay of $28.70, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.02. This hourly rate highlights the financial reality for those working part-time or within per-diem roles, where flight attendants often find themselves onboard commercial aircraft like Boeing 737s or A320s, managing service from galley stations or taking positions in jumpseats during takeoff and landing. The estimated hourly range varies significantly, from $16.64 at the lower end for entry-level attendants to $44.49 for those at the top of the pay scale, showcasing the earning potential across different experience levels in Matthews. As the role encompasses not only in-flight services but also layovers in premium hotel properties and crew briefings at base airports, the structure of flight attendant pay reflects a complex dynamic influenced by the airline's operational procedures and market demands.
About the Matthews 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) | $16.64 | $133.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.38 | $187.07 |
| Median (P50) | $28.70 | $229.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.74 | $293.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.49 | $355.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Matthews
Based on $28.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.70/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Matthews, NC can expect to earn approximately $59,699 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,442. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Matthews.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Matthews
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,148.05 | $4,975 | $59,699 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.83 | $2,985 | $35,819 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.22 | $1,990 | $23,880 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Matthews) | $28.70 |
| 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 Matthews, NC earn a median of $59,704 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.47% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $60,368.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.70/hr = $35,819/year (purchasing power: $38,268).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,699/year (purchasing power: $63,781).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Matthews grew 12.3% from $25.19/hr (2019) to $28.28/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.13/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 Matthews 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 Matthews
When assessing part-time opportunities, a flight attendant working three days a week can anticipate an annual take-home amount that significantly diverges from full-time counterparts, with many part-timers still benefiting from the flexible scheduling that often comes with this role. Per-diem compensation, which provides for meals and incidentals, adds another layer to flight attendant income in Matthews; these allowances typically range from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour for international flights and $1.80 to $2.30 for domestic journeys, creating an effective hourly rate that may soar to $50-$80 including these tax-advantaged benefits. Each airline in Matthews—from major US carriers like Delta and American to low-cost options such as Spirit and Frontier—presents unique hourly pay structures, along with different approaches to benefits. For many attendants, negotiating hourly wages often boils down to weighing hourly rates against the comprehensive benefits offered, such as health insurance, especially as the seniority-based pay scale plays a critical role in long-term earnings growth.
More salary data for Matthews, NC:
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 Matthews. 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 Matthews 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