Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Austin, TX: $31.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Austin, TX runs $31.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,129 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,682 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Austin, Texas, can expect a median hourly pay of $31.80, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $31.02. This figure is particularly relevant for those working part-time, as the profession typically accommodates flexible schedules, such as three-day workweeks. In the bustling environment of commercial aircraft cabins, from Boeing 737s to A350s, flight attendants often find themselves engaged in diverse roles ranging from handling galley service to occupying jumpseats during takeoffs and landings. This hourly rate varies, with entry-level positions earning around $18.44 and top earners reaching up to $49.28. Additionally, the airport environment involves hotel layovers at premium properties and crew briefing rooms, making the hourly rate compelling for those seeking variety in their work settings.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.44 | $147.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.62 | $204.93 |
| Median (P50) | $31.80 | $254.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.70 | $325.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.28 | $394.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $31.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.80/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, TX can expect to earn approximately $66,137 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,156. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,271.87 | $5,511 | $66,137 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $763.12 | $3,307 | $39,682 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.75 | $2,205 | $26,455 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Austin) | $31.80 |
| 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 Austin, TX earn a median of $66,129 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 6.80% above the Texas state average of $61,918.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.80/hr = $39,682/year (purchasing power: $41,336).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,137/year (purchasing power: $68,893).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Austin grew 12.3% from $27.91/hr (2019) to $31.33/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.27/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 Austin 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 Austin
Part-time flight attendants in Austin, who might work just 24 hours a week, could take home a nuanced range of earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. While the flexibility is appealing, the effective annual income can differ significantly due to varying work commitments. Flight attendants typically receive per diem allowances which can range from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour for international assignments and $1.80 to $2.30 for domestic ones. This per diem, often considered tax-advantaged income, can enhance overall hourly earnings, especially during international trips, pushing effective rates to between $50 and $80 per hour. Hourly pay can also vary based on the type of employer, with major US carriers applying different pay structures than low-cost or regional airlines. While some choose lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance benefits, others prioritize higher pay without added benefits. Thus, savvy negotiation strategies and an understanding of the nuances in pay scales, particularly in a vibrant market like Austin, can significantly influence a flight attendant's financial trajectory.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 Austin. 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 Austin 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