Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $28.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Knoxville, TN runs $28.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,306 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,579 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Knoxville, Tennessee, flight attendants can expect a median hourly pay of $28.51, which falls below the national median of $31.02 per hour. This difference can significantly impact both full-time and part-time flight attendants, especially those who work three days a week, limiting their total hours and income potential. In typical settings such as commercial aircraft cabins and during hotel layovers, the variation in hourly rates ranges from $16.53 for entry-level positions to as much as $44.20 for top earners. This tiered structure reflects experience and seniority, with many flight attendants earning additional per diem pay for meals and incidentals during trips—an important factor since most airlines do not compensate for ground duty time, relying on that hourly wage only during flights and boarding.
About the Knoxville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.53 | $132.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.22 | $177.73 |
| Median (P50) | $28.51 | $228.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.50 | $291.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.20 | $353.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $28.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.51/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $59,298 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,210. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,140.34 | $4,941 | $59,298 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $684.20 | $2,965 | $35,579 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.14 | $1,977 | $23,719 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Knoxville) | $28.51 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $59,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.09% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.60% above the Tennessee state average of $58,372.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.51/hr = $35,579/year (purchasing power: $38,757).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,298/year (purchasing power: $64,595).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Knoxville grew 12.3% from $25.02/hr (2019) to $28.09/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.93/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
For those considering part-time work, the earning potential varies widely. A flight attendant working a 24-hour week might make between $16,000 and $35,000 annually, based on their hourly assignments, which contrasts starkly with full-time salaries that can reach upwards of $59,306. Per diem rates, while variable, typically range from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour for international flights and $1.80 to $2.30 for domestic routes, adding to overall earnings. This structure means that those working for major airlines may enjoy higher overall pay compared to regional carriers or low-cost operators, but with the trade-off of potentially fewer benefits. Flight attendants should consider negotiating pay based on the employer type and leverage per diem opportunities for optimal compensation in Knoxville’s competitive aviation market.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
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 Knoxville. 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 Knoxville 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