Flight Attendant Salary in Honolulu, HI: $81,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Honolulu, HI earns a median $81,534/year (≈ $39.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $68,344 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendants in Honolulu, HI, earn a median annual salary of $81,534, significantly higher than the national median of $64,527. Salaries in this market range from $47,289 at the 10th percentile to $126,377 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse pay structure that accommodates both entry-level and highly experienced professionals. The elevated compensation for flight attendants in Hawaii is influenced by the presence of major airlines, regional carriers, low-cost carriers, and corporate aviation. Local estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, making it crucial for aspiring flight attendants to understand how salary scales can vary dramatically based on their employer and individual qualifications.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,289 | $22.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,291 | $30.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,534 | $39.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,363 | $50.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,377 | $60.76 |
Median Salary Position
26.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,088 (2026 est.). At $81,534, the local median is 26.36% above the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $81,534/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $76,630 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $64,527 | +26.36% more |
Flight Attendants in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $81,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.36% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $76,630.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,534 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,344 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,568
2025 BLS Actual
$80,337
2026 Current Est.
$81,534
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,568 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,613 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,886 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,564 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,389 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,322 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,337 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,749 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $71,568 (2019) to $80,337 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,749 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,181 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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) | $47,289 – $63,291 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,291 – $81,534 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,534 – $104,363 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,363 – $126,377 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Honolulu
Currently, there are 68 flight attendants within the local job market, suggesting a competitive landscape shaped by both demand and the high cost of living, with an index of 119.3. This cost of living applies pressure on take-home purchasing power, often motivating flight attendants to seek positions with major airlines like Delta and American, which tend to offer more lucrative pay compared to regional and low-cost carriers. Factors contributing to the variation in salaries include seniority, where years of service dictate pay increases, as well as premiums for international long-haul assignments. To maximize earning potential in Honolulu, flight attendants should consider aligning their careers with major carriers that have strong union representation, as this fosters better negotiating power and access to higher wages, especially for those at higher seniority levels.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Honolulu, HI in 2026?
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Can flight attendants make $100K in Honolulu?
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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 $80,337 for flight attendantsin the Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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