Flight Attendant Salary in Brea, CA: $69,243 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Brea, CA earns a median $69,243/year (≈ $33.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $61,223 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendants in Brea, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $69,243, which reflects a competitive position in the labor market, particularly considering that this figure is approximately 7.31% above the national median of $64,527. The salary range for local flight attendants varies significantly, from $40,161 for the lowest 10% to as much as $107,326 for those at the top of the pay scale. These numbers represent estimates derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost variations. With a seniority-based pay scale in place, years of service directly influence lifetime earnings, emphasizing the importance of career longevity for maximizing financial return in this profession. Given the limited number of 10 flight attendants employed in Brea, the local job market shows a niche demand that can impact competition and salary potential.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,161 | $19.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,164 | $27.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,243 | $33.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,630 | $42.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,326 | $51.60 |
Median Salary Position
7.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,165 (2026 est.). At $69,243, the local median is 7.31% above the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Brea median: $69,243/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $72,964 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | +7.31% more |
Flight Attendants in Brea, CA earn a median of $69,243 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 5.10% below the California state average of $72,964.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,243 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,223 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,779
2025 BLS Actual
$68,226
2026 Current Est.
$69,243
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,779 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,365 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,144 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,419 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,366 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,211 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,226 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,243 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,274 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $60,779 (2019) to $68,226 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,274 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,495 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,161 – $57,164 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,164 – $69,243 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,243 – $88,630 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,630 – $107,326 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Brea
For those working as flight attendants in Brea, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating higher living expenses compared to the national average. This factor affects the actual purchasing power of their salaries. While major US carriers like Delta and American offer attractive pay structures, low-cost carriers and regional airlines may present more variable compensation scenarios. In Brea, seniority within airlines will often dictate earnings, as those with longer tenures can benefit from substantial step increases. Additionally, positions involving international routes often pay an extra premium, enhancing total income with stipends for language proficiency and potential per-diem earnings that accumulate during trips. To maximize their flight attendant pay in Brea, individuals should seek opportunities with airlines that offer robust seniority benefits and consider the potential for positions involving longer international routes or additional responsibilities that can further augment their compensation.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $68,226 for flight attendantsin the Brea metropolitan area. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea 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