Flight Attendant Salary in Hoffman Estates, IL: $62,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Hoffman Estates, IL earns a median $62,423/year (≈ $30.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Hoffman Estates's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $64,287 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hoffman Estates, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for flight attendants in 2026 is $62,423, which is slightly below the national median of $64,527. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate a salary range from $36,206 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $96,757 at the high end (90th percentile). This compensation reflects the distinction in earnings potential for flight attendants, influenced by the employer type—major airlines generally provide better pay and benefits compared to regional or low-cost carriers. With a demographic that includes both major carriers and regional airlines in the Illinois area, the job market here offers a balanced opportunity for aspiring flight attendants to pursue varying paths in aviation.
About the Hoffman Estates Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,206 | $17.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,125 | $23.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,423 | $30.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,902 | $38.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,757 | $46.51 |
Median Salary Position
3.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hoffman Estates
In Hoffman Estates, IL, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,551 (2026 est.). At $62,423, the local median is 3.26% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hoffman Estates: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hoffman Estates Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Hoffman Estates median: $62,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hoffman Estates Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,674 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -3.26% less |
Flight Attendants in Hoffman Estates, IL earn a median of $62,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.26% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $62,674.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hoffman Estates 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.
Hoffman Estates, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $62,423 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,287 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,793
2025 BLS Actual
$61,507
2026 Current Est.
$62,423
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Hoffman Estates (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,793 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,125 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,681 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,653 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,507 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,354 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hoffman Estates metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $54,793 (2019) to $61,507 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,354 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,561 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hoffman Estates 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) | $36,206 – $49,125 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,125 – $62,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,423 – $79,902 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,902 – $96,757 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Hoffman Estates
Currently, Hoffman Estates employs only 8 flight attendants, highlighting a potentially competitive job market for those looking to enter this field. The area’s cost of living index stands at 97.1, which is slightly below the national average, indicating that while salaries might be lower than some other regions, the purchasing power can still be advantageous. Among potential employers, major U.S. airlines like Delta and United typically offer the highest salaries due to their established pay structures, including the seniority-based scale that rewards experience. The variance in salaries across different airlines can be significant; for example, senior flight attendants at major airlines can earn above $80,000, while those at regional carriers might only see earnings ranging from $25,000 to $45,000. To maximize pay, candidates in Hoffman Estates should consider pursuing positions with major carriers, focusing on gaining seniority, and leveraging any opportunities for international flights, as they typically command a premium pay rate.
More salary data for Hoffman Estates, 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 $61,507 for flight attendantsin the Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates 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