Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Vermillion, SD: $25.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Vermillion, SD runs $25.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,432 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Vermillion's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,058 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Vermillion, South Dakota, the flight attendant hourly pay is projected to be $25.69 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $31.02. For part-time flight attendants working three days a week, this translates to a stable income, especially when factoring in typical schedules involving commercial aircraft such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Many flight attendants may also engage in per diem work, where payment can fluctuate based on layovers at premium properties and the hours spent at jumpseat positions during takeoff and landing. With an hourly range from $15.53 for entry-level positions to $39.81 for experienced flight attendants, the Vermillion market provides a wide array of earning potential within the profession.
About the Vermillion 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) | $15.53 | $124.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.69 | $173.51 |
| Median (P50) | $25.69 | $205.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.88 | $263.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.81 | $318.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vermillion
Based on $25.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.69/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vermillion, SD can expect to earn approximately $53,429 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,825. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Vermillion.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vermillion
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,027.48 | $4,452 | $53,429 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $616.49 | $2,671 | $32,058 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $410.99 | $1,781 | $21,372 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Vermillion) | $25.69 |
| 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 Vermillion, SD earn a median of $53,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.19% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $57,827.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.69/hr = $32,058/year (purchasing power: $34,545).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,429/year (purchasing power: $57,575).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Vermillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Vermillion grew 12.3% from $22.55/hr (2019) to $25.31/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.07/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 Vermillion 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 Vermillion
When examining the realities of part-time work in Vermillion, flight attendants averaging 24 hours a week can take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts. The per diem flight attendant pay in Vermillion is often an additional benefit, allowing for tax-advantaged earnings that can range from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour, especially on international routes. This can elevate effective hourly earnings significantly, anywhere from $50 to $80 per hour during busy travel periods when including those per diem rates. However, junior reserve flight attendants may face unpaid waiting hours for call-ins, affecting overall earnings. Additional factors such as employer type also play a role; while major US carriers may offer the most comprehensive benefit packages, regional airlines tend to have lower hourly rates. Strategies for negotiating pay effectively can include highlighting the value of health insurance benefits against a higher hourly wage without benefits, tailoring the discussion to the specific needs of the Vermillion market.
More salary data for Vermillion, 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 Vermillion. 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 Vermillion 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