Flight Attendant Salary in Normal, IL: $60,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Normal, IL earns a median $60,747/year (≈ $29.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Normal's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,561 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a flight attendant salary in Normal, Illinois, is projected to reach a median of $60,747, reflecting the city’s seniority-based pay scale that rewards years of service through systematic step increases. This figure falls short of the national median of $64,527, placing local compensation approximately 5.86% below the national average. The salary range spans from $35,233 at the 10th percentile to $94,157 at the 90th percentile, indicating that while entry-level positions may offer modest earnings, experienced flight attendants can achieve significant financial benefits. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, and provide insight into the competitive dynamics of the local job market.
About the Normal Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,233 | $16.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,747 | $29.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,756 | $37.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,157 | $45.26 |
Median Salary Position
5.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Normal
In Normal, IL, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,924 (2026 est.). At $60,747, the local median is 5.86% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Normal: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Normal Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Normal median: $60,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Normal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,626 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -5.86% less |
Flight Attendants in Normal, IL earn a median of $60,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.86% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $62,626.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Normal 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.
Normal, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $60,747 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,561 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,322
2025 BLS Actual
$59,855
2026 Current Est.
$60,747
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,322 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,029 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,024 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,364 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,782 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,855 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,652 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Normal metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $53,322 (2019) to $59,855 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,652 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,330 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Normal 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) | $35,233 – $48,150 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,150 – $60,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,747 – $77,756 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,756 – $94,157 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Normal
With only 8 flight attendants currently employed in Normal, the job market remains relatively tight, which can influence flight attendant pay in Normal, IL. The local cost of living index stands at 97.1, indicating a slightly lower-than-average cost of living, which enhances the purchasing power of salaries in the area. Among potential employers, major U.S. carriers tend to offer competitive pay, with regional airlines and low-cost carriers generally offering lower earnings. The variation in flight attendant compensation is driven largely by factors such as seniority, with seasoned attendants earning significant advantages through established pay scales and access to per-diem offsets. For those looking to optimize their compensation, strategies include seeking out international routes, which often come with premiums of 15-30% compared to domestic flying, as well as continuing to build language skills for potential proficiency stipends. Understanding the interplay of these elements can help aspiring flight attendants navigate their career trajectories in Normal more effectively.
More salary data for Normal, 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 $59,855 for flight attendantsin the Normal 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 Normal 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