Flight Attendant Salary in Gurnee, IL: $61,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Gurnee, IL earns a median $61,747/year (≈ $29.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Gurnee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $63,591 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendants in Gurnee, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $61,747, which reflects a salary range from $35,813 at the 10th percentile to $95,707 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS state-level estimates adjusted for regional cost variations, illustrates the impact of the seniority-based pay scale common in the airline industry, where years of service significantly boost lifetime earnings potential. As flight attendants accumulate experience, their compensation can increase markedly, especially at major U.S. carriers, positioning Gurnee within a competitive salary environment, albeit slightly lower than the national median of $64,527.
About the Gurnee Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,813 | $17.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,061 | $24.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,747 | $29.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,035 | $38.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,707 | $46.02 |
Median Salary Position
4.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gurnee
In Gurnee, IL, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,894 (2026 est.). At $61,747, the local median is 4.31% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gurnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gurnee Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Gurnee median: $61,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gurnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,687 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -4.31% less |
Flight Attendants in Gurnee, IL earn a median of $61,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.31% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $62,687.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gurnee 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.
Gurnee, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $61,747 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,591 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,199
2025 BLS Actual
$60,840
2026 Current Est.
$61,747
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Gurnee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,199 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,505 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,984 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,012 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,424 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,897 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,667 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gurnee metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $54,199 (2019) to $60,840 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,667 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,468 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gurnee 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) | $35,813 – $50,061 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,061 – $61,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,747 – $79,035 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,035 – $95,707 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Gurnee
The job market for flight attendants in Gurnee is modest, with only eight individuals currently employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index at 97.1, Gurnee offers a relatively affordable environment, which can enhance the purchasing power of flight attendant salaries. Among employers, major airlines such as American and United tend to offer more competitive flight attendant pay in Gurnee, especially for those considering union representation through AFA-CWA or TWU. Local dynamics reveal that increased earnings often stem from seniority, extended international routes, and flexible schedules. For those aiming to maximize their pay in Gurnee, securing positions that provide longevity and opportunities for long-haul flights can be effective strategies, complemented by negotiating per-diem allowances to enhance overall earnings.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 $60,840 for flight attendantsin the Gurnee 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 Gurnee 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