Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in South Charleston, WV: $25.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in South Charleston, WV runs $25.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,500 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against South Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,500 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Charleston, West Virginia, flight attendants can expect a median hourly pay of $25.24, significantly below the national median of $31.02. This wage reflects the competitive nature of the aviation industry, particularly for positions based in smaller regional markets. For those working part-time, such as flight attendants on a 3-day workweek, this translates to roughly $24,000 annually assuming 24 hours of work each week. The hourly range for flight attendants in the area varies from $14.68 for entry-level positions to approximately $39.12 for top earners with years of experience. Flight attendants typically operate within commercial aircraft cabins, including models like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Duties range from safety protocols in jumpseat positions to service in galley stations, with additional earning opportunities during hotel layovers, particularly at premium properties. Given the hourly estimates are derived from annual salary projections, these figures provide a valuable overview of potential earnings in South Charleston, WV.
About the South 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) | $14.68 | $117.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.89 | $167.09 |
| Median (P50) | $25.24 | $201.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.30 | $258.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.12 | $313.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Charleston
Based on $25.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.24/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $52,500 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,289. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,009.62 | $4,375 | $52,500 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $605.77 | $2,625 | $31,500 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.85 | $1,750 | $21,000 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (South Charleston) | $25.24 |
| 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 South Charleston, WV earn a median of $52,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.64% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 4.20% below the West Virginia state average of $54,801.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.24/hr = $31,500/year (purchasing power: $36,416).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,500/year (purchasing power: $60,694).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in South Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in South Charleston grew 12.3% from $22.16/hr (2019) to $24.87/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.62/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 South 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 South Charleston
Considering a part-time flight attendant role in South Charleston, those working three days a week can expect to take home about $24,000 annually, which is significantly lower than full-time peers. This figure also doesn't account for the valuable per-diem flight attendant pay South Charleston can offer. Per-diem rates can average between $1.80 and $3.00 per hour for international flights, and $1.80 to $2.30 for domestic flights, providing tax-advantaged income that can enhance overall earnings considerably. For instance, effective hourly rates can hit between $50 and $80 during international turnarounds when per-diem is included, particularly for those who work high-demand routes. Hourly pay can also differ depending on the employer; major carriers tend to provide better pay scales compared to regional or low-cost airlines. While some flight attendants might prioritize higher hourly rates with less emphasis on benefits, others may accept lower pay for health and retirement benefits offered by larger airlines. Effective negotiation skills are essential for hourly workers in this field, especially in a small market like South Charleston, where each opportunity can open doors to greater career prospects.
More salary data for South Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for flight attendants in South Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time flight attendants make in South Charleston?
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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 South 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 South 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