Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Charleston, WV: $25.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Charleston, WV runs $25.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,962 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,374 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendants in Charleston, West Virginia, can expect a median hourly pay of $25.94, which is significantly below the national median of $31.02. This hourly rate reflects the varied working environment that these professionals operate in, from commercial aircraft cabins such as Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s to hotel layovers and crew briefing rooms. For part-time flight attendants, working three days a week typically means they're engaged in around 24 hours of flight work, which can be complemented by per-diem allowances covering meal and incidentals while traveling. The hourly pay range for flight attendants in Charleston extends from $15.05 for entry-level positions to $40.21 for those at the top of the pay scale, providing ample opportunity for growth dependent on experience and seniority.
About the Charleston Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.05 | $120.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.01 | $168.07 |
| Median (P50) | $25.94 | $207.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.21 | $265.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.21 | $321.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $25.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.94/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $53,957 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,129. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,037.63 | $4,496 | $53,957 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $622.58 | $2,698 | $32,374 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $415.05 | $1,799 | $21,583 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Charleston) | $25.94 |
| 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 Charleston, WV earn a median of $53,962 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.37% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.50% below the West Virginia state average of $54,784.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.94/hr = $32,374/year (purchasing power: $37,427).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,957/year (purchasing power: $62,378).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Charleston grew 12.3% from $22.77/hr (2019) to $25.56/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.33/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
When considering part-time work, a flight attendant who operates on a three-day schedule could expect to take home about $32,472 annually, a stark contrast to full-time earnings that typically span higher pay brackets. Per-diem payments can significantly enhance earnings, with domestic rates between $1.80-$2.30 per hour and international rates from $1.80-$3.00, offering additional tax-advantaged compensation. This keeps effective hourly earnings competitive, occasionally soaring to $50-$80 during international trips. The types of employers greatly impact the payout structure — major carriers often provide comprehensive benefits, which may come at the expense of hourly wage, while low-cost carriers might offer more competitive hourly rates without added health coverage. This differentiation emphasizes the necessity for flight attendants in Charleston to thoroughly evaluate the trade-offs involved in their career choices. Whether discussing per diem flight attendant pay in Charleston or negotiating salaries, understanding these dynamics is crucial for optimizing earnings in this unique profession.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in West Virginia
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 Charleston. 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 Charleston 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