Flight Attendant Salary in DeKalb, IL: $60,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in DeKalb, IL earns a median $60,292/year (≈ $28.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in DeKalb's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,093 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in DeKalb, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $60,292 in 2026, which sits below the national median of $64,527. The salary range for flight attendants here spans from $36,245 at the lower 10th percentile to approximately $93,453 for the top 90th percentile. This compensation trajectory illustrates the competitive dynamics of the aviation sector in DeKalb, where major U.S. carriers, while typically offering higher overall pay, influence salary structures, especially compared to regional or low-cost carriers that might only pay for flight hours. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity, suggest that while flight attendant pay in DeKalb has room for growth, the overall compensation reflects the nuances of the job market, influenced by both the cost of living and the structural composition of local airlines.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,245 | $17.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,798 | $24.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,292 | $28.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,174 | $37.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,453 | $44.93 |
Median Salary Position
6.56% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeKalb
In DeKalb, IL, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,208 (2026 est.). At $60,292, the local median is 6.56% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeKalb: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How DeKalb Flight Attendant Pay Compares
DeKalb median: $60,292/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeKalb Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,674 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -6.56% less |
Flight Attendants in DeKalb, IL earn a median of $60,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.56% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $62,674.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeKalb 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.
DeKalb, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $60,292 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,093 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,922
2025 BLS Actual
$59,407
2026 Current Est.
$60,292
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,922 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,594 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,575 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,275 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,407 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeKalb metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $52,922 (2019) to $59,407 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,269 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeKalb 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) | $36,245 – $50,798 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,798 – $60,292 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,292 – $77,174 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,174 – $93,453 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in DeKalb
In DeKalb, only nine flight attendants are currently employed, indicating a relatively small but focused job market. The area's cost of living index stands at 97.1, below the national average, which suggests flight attendants may find their purchasing power slightly higher despite a lower salary compared to bigger markets. Among the local employers, major carriers such as Delta and United often provide the best compensation packages, typically offering structured pay scales that reward seniority. Those looking to maximize their flight attendant pay in DeKalb should consider seeking positions with these major airlines, where years of service significantly boost earnings, sometimes leading to salaries exceeding $100,000. Additionally, opportunities for flexible scheduling and per-diem allowances during travel can enhance overall income—strategies that could advantageously position an applicant in this local market.
More salary data for DeKalb, 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 $59,407 for flight attendantsin the DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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