Flight Attendant Salary in Champaign, IL: $63,109 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Champaign, IL earns a median $63,109/year (≈ $30.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Champaign's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,994 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, the flight attendant salary in Champaign, Illinois, sits at a median annual figure of $63,109, which is slightly below the national median of $64,527. The pay range is broad, starting from $36,603 at the 10th percentile and reaching up to $97,818 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and local adjustments, reflect the structural choices in the region's aviation sector. Major airlines, regional carriers, and low-cost carriers all operate within Champaign, influencing the disparities in wages and opportunities. However, with only 14 flight attendants currently employed in the area, competition for positions may be relatively less intense, potentially stabilizing salary trends.
About the Champaign Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,603 | $17.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,109 | $30.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,779 | $38.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,818 | $47.03 |
Median Salary Position
2.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Champaign
In Champaign, IL, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,215 (2026 est.). At $63,109, the local median is 2.2% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Champaign: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Champaign Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Champaign median: $63,109/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Champaign Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,670 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $64,527 | -2.20% less |
Flight Attendants in Champaign, IL earn a median of $63,109 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.20% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 0.70% above the Illinois state average of $62,670.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Champaign 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.
Champaign, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $63,109 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,994 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,395
2025 BLS Actual
$62,182
2026 Current Est.
$63,109
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,395 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,752 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,285 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,358 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,867 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,417 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,182 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,109 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,049 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Champaign metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $55,395 (2019) to $62,182 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,049 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,654 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Champaign 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) | $36,603 – $50,500 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,500 – $63,109 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,109 – $80,779 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,779 – $97,818 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Champaign
In understanding how much do flight attendants make in Champaign, the local job market and the cost of living must be considered. With a cost of living index of 97.1, purchasing power is relatively favorable, allowing flight attendants to stretch their salaries further compared to higher-cost areas. Among employers, major US carriers like Southwest and American generally offer competitive pay, attracting talent with robust benefits and opportunities for advancement through a seniority-based system. For those on the lower end of the pay scale, such as regional airlines, earnings can be notably lower, emphasizing the importance of employer choice in determining overall compensation. Factors such as seniority, international routes, and additional per-diem for travel can significantly influence earnings, providing strategies for flight attendants in Champaign to maximize their income. Understanding these intricacies can aid in making informed decisions as they navigate their careers in this region.
More salary data for Champaign, 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 $62,182 for flight attendantsin the Champaign 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 Champaign 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