Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Seattle, WA: $36.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Seattle, WA runs $36.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,219 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Seattle's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.1, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,737 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Flight attendants in Seattle, Washington, earn a median hourly rate of $36.65, significantly higher than the national median of $31.02. This wage reflects Seattle's competitive airline market, where part-time attendants working three days a week typically earn around $1,199 weekly before taxes. Positions in commercial aircraft cabins, such as on Boeing 737 or Airbus A320 flights, often involve work at various stations, including galley service and jumpseat assignments during takeoff and landing. The hourly pay range is quite broad; entry-level flight attendants earn approximately $23.44 an hour (P10) while top earners, often those with many years of experience, can see rates soar to $66.03 (P90). This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data highlights the strong demand for qualified flight attendants in the region.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.44 | $187.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.84 | $246.74 |
| Median (P50) | $36.65 | $293.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.40 | $387.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66.03 | $528.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Seattle
Based on $36.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.65/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Seattle, WA can expect to earn approximately $76,228 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,978. With a cost-of-living index of 111.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Seattle.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Seattle
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,465.92 | $6,352 | $76,228 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $879.55 | $3,811 | $45,737 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $586.37 | $2,541 | $30,491 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Seattle) | $36.65 |
| 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 Seattle, WA earn a median of $76,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.12% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 10.00% above the Washington state average of $69,290.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.65/hr = $45,737/year (purchasing power: $41,155).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,228/year (purchasing power: $68,592).
CoL index: 111.133 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Seattle (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Seattle grew 8.0% from $33.45/hr (2019) to $36.11/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.19/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 Seattle 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 Seattle
When considering part-time earning potential, a flight attendant working with a 24-hour schedule may take home around $62,972 annually, significantly less than a full-time peer. Many flight attendants also receive per diem compensation that can enhance their overall earnings. The typical per diem rates fluctuate between $1.80 to $3.00 per hour for international flights and $1.80 to $2.30 per hour domestically. In favorable conditions during international turns, the effective hourly rate can range from $50 to $80, especially when adding per diem payments. Different employers influence pay variability; major airlines such as Delta or American typically offer better benefits than lower-cost carriers like Spirit or JetBlue. Those seeking a role in regional or corporate aviation should weigh hourly rates against benefits packages. For successful negotiations, it is crucial for potential flight attendants to understand the seniority-based pay scale and consider the trade-offs of accepting lower hourly wages for comprehensive health insurance benefits.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
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 Seattle. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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