Flight Attendant Salary in Redwood City, CA: $71,386 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Redwood City, CA earns a median $71,386/year (≈ $34.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Redwood City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $63,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Redwood City, California, flight attendants are projected to earn a median annual salary of $71,386 in 2026, reflecting a 10.63% increase compared to the national median of $64,527. The local salary range showcases the diversity within the profession, with entry-level positions starting at around $41,404 and experienced flight attendants earning up to $110,648. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the region's cost of living. Redwood City's competitive landscape may be influenced by the presence of major airlines that often provide international long-haul routes, where flight attendants may receive language proficiency stipends and additional premiums for longer flights.
About the Redwood City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($85,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,404 | $19.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,330 | $27.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,386 | $34.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,374 | $43.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,648 | $53.20 |
Median Salary Position
10.63% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redwood City
In Redwood City, CA, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,244 (2026 est.). At $71,386, the local median is 10.63% above the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redwood City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redwood City Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Redwood City median: $71,386/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redwood City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $72,992 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | +10.63% more |
Flight Attendants in Redwood City, CA earn a median of $71,386 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.63% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 2.20% below the California state average of $72,992.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redwood City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redwood City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,386 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,118 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,660
2025 BLS Actual
$70,338
2026 Current Est.
$71,386
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,327 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,192 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,537 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,637 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,035 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,386 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,450 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redwood City metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $62,660 (2019) to $70,338 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,450 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,790 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redwood City 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) | $41,404 – $57,330 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,330 – $71,386 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,386 – $91,374 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,374 – $110,648 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Redwood City
With just 13 flight attendants currently employed in Redwood City, the job market remains selective, and the cost of living index at 113.1 suggests that salaries need to align with local economic conditions. Major carriers such as Delta or United typically offer higher pay rates, while regional airlines and low-cost carriers present more modest compensation. The gap in earnings can be attributed to factors like seniority and the type of employment, where tenured attendants at larger airlines can command significantly higher incomes due to a well-structured pay scale. To maximize earnings, flight attendants can focus on gaining experience with international flights and seek opportunities for additional stipends related to language skills or instructorship roles, which can enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Redwood City, 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 $70,338 for flight attendantsin the Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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