Flight Attendant Salary in Emporia, KS: $53,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Emporia, KS earns a median $53,875/year (≈ $25.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $59,268 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Emporia, KS, can expect a median annual salary of $53,875 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $64,527. The salary range for this role in the city spans from $32,511 at the 10th percentile to $83,506 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities. The lower compensation can be attributed to the predominance of regional airlines and low-cost carriers operating in the area, with fewer opportunities from major airlines that typically pay higher salaries. Thus, those seeking flight attendant positions in Emporia should weigh these pay structures heavily against their career goals and the potential for advancement within different airline types.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,511 | $15.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,448 | $21.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,875 | $25.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,960 | $33.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,506 | $40.15 |
Median Salary Position
16.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,995 (2026 est.). At $53,875, the local median is 16.51% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Emporia median: $53,875/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $58,369 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -16.51% less |
Flight Attendants in Emporia, KS earn a median of $53,875 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.51% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $58,369.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $53,875 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,268 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$47,290
2025 BLS Actual
$53,084
2026 Current Est.
$53,875
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,302 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,464 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,234 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,083 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,155 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,678 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $47,290 (2019) to $53,084 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,678 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,388 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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) | $32,511 – $45,448 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,448 – $53,875 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,875 – $68,960 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,960 – $83,506 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Emporia
Currently, there are just five flight attendants employed in Emporia, reflecting a niche job market for this occupation. With a cost-of-living index of 90.9, expenses in this area are below the national average, which can positively impact take-home pay. Among local employers, regional airlines may offer salaries that range widely based on factors like seniority, which is a driving force behind compensation in the industry. To maximize flight attendant pay in Emporia, candidates should consider aligning themselves with carriers that offer per-diem compensation or additional benefits, while also seeking opportunities for advancement through seniority. Understanding the pay scale variations between domestic and international routes can help job seekers leverage their earnings potential effectively as they progress in their careers.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Emporia, KS in 2026?
Is Emporia, KS a good place to work as a flight attendant?
Can flight attendants make $100K in Emporia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted flight attendant salary in Emporia?
How much does a flight attendant make per hour in Emporia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 $53,084 for flight attendantsin the Emporia 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 Emporia 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