Flight Attendant Salary in Wheeling, IL: $61,163 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Wheeling, IL earns a median $61,163/year (≈ $29.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,990 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Wheeling, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $61,163 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $64,527. The local salary range spans from a lower 10th percentile at $36,309 to a top 90th percentile at $94,803, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the aviation sector. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, indicate that while Wheeling may not offer the highest salaries compared to other areas, the city's overall job market for flight attendants remains stable. With a seniority-based pay scale in place, flight attendants can anticipate increases in their lifetime compensation as they gain years of service, making long-term employment a viable consideration for those pursuing a career in this field.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,309 | $17.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,239 | $24.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,163 | $29.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,288 | $37.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,803 | $45.58 |
Median Salary Position
5.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,494 (2026 est.). At $61,163, the local median is 5.21% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $61,163/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,667 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -5.21% less |
Flight Attendants in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $61,163 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.21% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $62,667.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $61,163 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,990 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,687
2025 BLS Actual
$60,265
2026 Current Est.
$61,163
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,687 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,971 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,426 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,436 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,805 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,246 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,265 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,163 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $53,687 (2019) to $60,265 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,387 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $36,309 – $51,239 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,239 – $61,163 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,163 – $78,288 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,288 – $94,803 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Wheeling
In Wheeling, the local job market hosts a small cohort of six flight attendants, highlighting a competitive yet limited workforce. The cost-of-living index of 97.1 indicates that living expenses are below the national average, providing some relief in terms of purchasing power for those working in the area. Among potential employers, major U.S. airlines like Delta and United generally offer the highest pay, particularly to more experienced flight attendants, whereas regional airlines might pay less. Differences in salary can often be tied to factors such as seniority, the international long-haul premium, and additional benefits like per-diem allowances. For aspiring flight attendants, maximizing earnings in Wheeling IL can involve gaining experience in major airlines or seeking opportunities with corporate aviation firms, where pay structures can be more advantageous.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 $60,265 for flight attendantsin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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