Flight Attendant Salary in Iowa: $57,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median flight attendant pay sits at $57,492/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2031. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,597 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Davenport ($59,374), Des Moines ($59,142), Dubuque ($58,184).
In Iowa, the average median salary for flight attendants in 2026 is projected to be $57,492, which is significantly lower than the national median of $64,527, resulting in a gap of 10.9%. The highest-paying city in the state is Davenport, with salaries reaching $60,259, while Fort Dodge has the lowest pay at $53,567, illustrating a salary difference of $6,692. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the local cost of living, demand for air travel services, and the presence of airlines operating in those regions. Iowa has specific requirements for flight attendants, including compliance with FAA regulations, but it does not have distinct state licensing requirements for this role. The job market for flight attendants in Iowa is expected to grow at an annual rate of 1.49%, indicating a steady demand for personnel in this field. Key cities experiencing this growth include Des Moines, with an average pay of $60,023, Dubuque at $59,051, Sioux City at $58,778, and Iowa City at $58,122, all reflecting the regional economy's development and the need for air travel services. Overall, the outlook for flight attendant positions in Iowa remains positive, with steady employment opportunities expected in the coming years.
Iowa Flight Attendant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $31,757 (lowest entry-level) to $93,401 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa flight attendants earn 10.9% less than the national median ($-7,035/year difference).
Iowa Flight Attendant Salary Distribution (2026)
Flight Attendant salaries in Iowa range from $33,529 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,113 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $57,492. The Iowa median is $7,035 below the US national median of $64,527. The average hourly rate is $27.64/hr. Approximately 277 flight attendants are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,465
2025 BLS Actual
$56,648
2026 Current Est.
$57,492
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,465 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,612 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,808 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,916 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,655 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,648 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,349 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $50,465 (2019) to $56,648 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,349 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,884 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $53,567 |
| Johnston | $54,164 |
| Ottumwa | $54,296 |
| Muscatine | $54,502 |
| Clinton | $54,761 |
Best Value Cities for Flight Attendants in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for flight attendants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | $60,259 | 90.4 | $66,658 |
| Des Moines | $60,023 | 90.4 | $66,397 |
| Dubuque | $59,051 | 90.4 | $65,322 |
| Sioux City | $58,778 | 90.4 | $65,020 |
| Iowa City | $58,122 | 90.4 | $64,294 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $33,529 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $57,492 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,113 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davenport | $60,259 |
| 2 | Des Moines | $60,023 |
| 3 | Dubuque | $59,051 |
| 4 | Sioux City | $58,778 |
| 5 | Iowa City | $58,122 |
| 6 | Ames | $58,072 |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $58,028 |
| 8 | Cedar Falls | $57,813 |
| 9 | Marion | $57,382 |
| 10 | West Des Moines | $57,027 |
| 11 | Waterloo | $56,796 |
| 12 | Ankeny | $56,713 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $56,356 |
| 14 | Burlington | $56,034 |
| 15 | Waukee | $55,832 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $55,757 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $55,753 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $55,580 |
| 19 | Coralville | $55,507 |
| 20 | Mason City | $55,250 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $55,033 |
| 22 | Clinton | $54,761 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $54,502 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $54,296 |
| 25 | Johnston | $54,164 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $53,567 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced flight attendants.
Explore More Flight Attendant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for flight attendants in Iowa?
How does Iowa flight attendant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level flight attendant salary in Iowa?
How many flight attendants are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for flight attendants?
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
Statewide 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. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 flight attendant compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more flight attendantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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