Flight Attendant Salary in Des Plaines, IL: $60,573 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Des Plaines, IL earns a median $60,573/year (≈ $29.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Des Plaines's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,382 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Des Plaines, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $60,573 in 2026, which is roughly 6.13% lower than the national median of $64,527 for the same year. This compensation figure falls within a broad salary range, with the lowest earnings (P10) around $35,133 and the highest (P90) reaching $93,888. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. In a city where major airlines operate alongside low-cost carriers and regional airlines, the pay scale for flight attendants reflects the structural choices made by employers. Individuals seeking employment here must consider how these dynamics influence salary offers and overall job competitiveness.
About the Des Plaines Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,133 | $16.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,809 | $22.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,573 | $29.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,534 | $37.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,888 | $45.14 |
Median Salary Position
6.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, IL, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,755 (2026 est.). At $60,573, the local median is 6.13% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Plaines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Plaines Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Des Plaines median: $60,573/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Plaines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,640 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -6.13% less |
Flight Attendants in Des Plaines, IL earn a median of $60,573 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 3.30% below the Illinois state average of $62,640.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Plaines 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.
Des Plaines, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $60,573 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,382 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,169
2025 BLS Actual
$59,684
2026 Current Est.
$60,573
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Des Plaines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,169 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,432 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,863 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,853 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,588 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,684 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,573 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,476 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Plaines metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $53,169 (2019) to $59,684 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,476 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,307 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Plaines 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) | $35,133 – $47,809 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,809 – $60,573 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,573 – $77,534 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,534 – $93,888 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Des Plaines
In Des Plaines, the local job market comprises a modest 12 flight attendants, which suggests a niche industry presence. The cost of living index in the area stands at 97.1, indicating that living expenses are slightly below the national average. This situation can enhance the purchasing power of flight attendants' salaries, making the compensation more favorable despite being lower than the national average. Major U.S. carriers like United and American typically offer the highest salaries, while regional airlines often pay less due to their separate structural pay scales. The pay spread within these organizations is influenced largely by seniority, with seasoned flight attendants able to command substantially higher wages. To maximize earnings in the Des Plaines market, candidates should aim for long-term positions with major carriers, seek certifications that provide competitive advantages like language proficiency, and consider instructive or leadership roles within their airlines to increase earning potential.
More salary data for Des Plaines, 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 $59,684 for flight attendantsin the Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines 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