Flight Attendant Salary in Kailua, HI: $75,958 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Kailua, HI earns a median $75,958/year (≈ $36.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Kailua's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $63,670 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Kailua, HI, are experiencing a robust compensation landscape in 2026 with a median annual salary of $75,958, significantly above the national median of $64,527, highlighting a regional advantage in pay. The salary range for flight attendants is diverse, spanning from $44,056 at the lower end to $117,736 for those at the upper echelon of the pay scale. With Kailua's unique positioning, influenced by its proximity to major airlines and the dynamics of regional versus low-cost carriers, the flight attendant salary in Kailua reflects strong competition among employers. These figures represent projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for local market conditions, showcasing an environment where potential earnings can vary considerably due to differing airline structures.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,056 | $21.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,138 | $29.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,958 | $36.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,226 | $46.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,736 | $56.60 |
Median Salary Position
17.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kailua
In Kailua, HI, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,680 (2026 est.). At $75,958, the local median is 17.72% above the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kailua: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kailua Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Kailua median: $75,958/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kailua Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $76,648 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | +17.72% more |
Flight Attendants in Kailua, HI earn a median of $75,958 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.72% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $76,648.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kailua has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kailua, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,958 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,670 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,674
2025 BLS Actual
$74,843
2026 Current Est.
$75,958
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,674 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,511 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,559 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,055 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,482 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,418 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,843 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,958 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,090 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kailua metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $66,674 (2019) to $74,843 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,090 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,416 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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) | $44,056 – $62,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,138 – $75,958 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,958 – $97,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,226 – $117,736 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Kailua
In Kailua, the local job market does present challenges; only six flight attendants are currently employed in the area. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 119.3, this means take-home purchasing power may be affected, necessitating strategic financial planning for flight attendants in the region. Major U.S. carriers, such as Delta and Southwest, often lead the pay scale, while regional and low-cost airlines may offer less competitive compensation, reinforcing the disparity between these categories. Factors influencing the pay spread include seniority, which significantly impacts earnings through step increases based on years of service, and additional perks like per-diem allowances. To maximize their earnings, flight attendants in Kailua should focus on building tenure with their employer and seeking opportunities with major airlines, as those often provide higher pay scales and more comprehensive benefits, making the experience in this scenic locale more financially rewarding.
More salary data for Kailua, HI:
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 $74,843 for flight attendantsin the Kailua 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 Kailua 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