Flight Attendant Salary in Bloomington, IL: $60,781 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Bloomington, IL earns a median $60,781/year (≈ $29.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,596 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bloomington, Illinois, flight attendants can expect a median annual salary of $60,781 for 2026, which reflects a disparity of 5.81% when compared to the national figure of $64,527. The salary range for this occupation in the area extends from $35,254 at the lower tenth percentile to $94,211 at the top ninetieth percentile, showing that there is considerable variability based on factors like seniority, employer type, and additional compensation structures. Data for these projections are derived from 2025 BLS state-level calculations adjusted for regional cost considerations. As the local job market features only 13 flight attendants, the competition for higher-paying positions—whether within major airlines or regional carriers—may significantly influence salary expectations.
About the Bloomington Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,254 | $16.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,548 | $23.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,781 | $29.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,800 | $37.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,211 | $45.29 |
Median Salary Position
5.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,957 (2026 est.). At $60,781, the local median is 5.81% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $60,781/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,661 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -5.81% less |
Flight Attendants in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $60,781 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.81% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $62,661.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $60,781 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,596 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,352
2025 BLS Actual
$59,889
2026 Current Est.
$60,781
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,352 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,622 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,062 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,059 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,401 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,889 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,781 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,687 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $53,352 (2019) to $59,889 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,687 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,335 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $35,254 – $49,548 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,548 – $60,781 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,781 – $77,800 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,800 – $94,211 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Bloomington
The job market for flight attendants in Bloomington is characterized by a cost-of-living index of 97.1, suggesting that while salaries are slightly below the national norm, purchasing power remains relatively robust. In this area, major airlines generally offer more lucrative compensation packages compared to low-cost or regional carriers. Seniority plays a critical role in determining pay, as career progression can lead to significantly higher earnings, particularly for those who secure positions with larger carriers or international routes that command premiums. For those aiming to maximize their flight attendant pay in Bloomington, prioritizing a career with a major airline may yield better returns. Additionally, understanding benefits such as per-diem allowances and securing high-demand routes can further enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
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 $59,889 for flight attendantsin the Bloomington 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 Bloomington 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