Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $28.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Rapid City, SD runs $28.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,519 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,110 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, the flight attendant hourly pay is projected to be $28.13 in 2026, which sits below the national median of $31.02. This hourly wage is indicative of what flight attendants generally earn while performing their duties, which typically include roles in commercial aircraft cabins, such as working in jumpseat positions during takeoff and landing, tending to galley service stations, and managing passenger safety and comfort. For part-time attendants, many of whom may work around three days a week, this rate translates into a manageable income, while those at the lower end of the spectrum can expect hourly earnings of approximately $16.32, reaching up to $43.61 for the most experienced flight attendants. This means that for those just entering the field or working for regional carriers, the financial prospects may differ significantly from their counterparts at major airlines.
About the Rapid City Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.32 | $130.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.66 | $181.30 |
| Median (P50) | $28.13 | $225.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.01 | $288.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.61 | $348.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $28.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.13/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $58,517 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,760. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,125.32 | $4,876 | $58,517 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $675.19 | $2,926 | $35,110 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $450.13 | $1,951 | $23,407 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Rapid City) | $28.13 |
| 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 Rapid City, SD earn a median of $58,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.31% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.20% above the South Dakota state average of $57,825.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.13/hr = $35,110/year (purchasing power: $37,834).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,517/year (purchasing power: $63,057).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Rapid City grew 12.3% from $24.69/hr (2019) to $27.72/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.55/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 Rapid City 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 Rapid City
For flight attendants choosing a part-time schedule, working 24 hours a week could yield around $23,500 annually, a stark contrast to full-time colleagues who might earn nearly double that amount. Many flight attendants also rely on per diem flight attendant pay in Rapid City, which compensates for meals and incidentals, providing an additional $1.80-$3.00 per hour when working internationally. This element of pay can enhance overall earnings, sometimes resulting in effective hourly rates ranging from $50 to $80 during international trips. Additionally, flight attendants may find different hourly rates depending on their employer, with major airlines often compensating more than regional or low-cost carriers. It's crucial for those in the industry to balance hourly pay with benefits like health insurance, as some may prefer higher hourly wages without the safety net of medical coverage. Negotiation skills can be vital in this sector, particularly for those seeking to maximize their pay while considering the trade-offs involved with benefits.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Rapid City. 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 Rapid City 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