Flight Attendant Salary in Hays, KS: $54,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Hays, KS earns a median $54,638/year (≈ $26.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Hays's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $60,108 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendants in Hays, Kansas, can expect to see a median annual salary of $54,638, reflecting a competitive figure within the local market. The salary range spans from $34,207 at the low end (P10) to a high of $84,689 (P90), indicating substantial potential for earnings based on experience and specialty. These estimates are based on data from 2025, projected to 2026, and incorporate adjustments for regional price parity in Hays. While the figures trail the national median of $64,527 by a significant margin, this does not diminish the opportunities for attendants specializing in international long-haul service or those with proficiency in desirable languages, which can add a premium to their pay.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,207 | $16.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,034 | $22.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,638 | $26.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,937 | $33.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,689 | $40.72 |
Median Salary Position
15.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hays
In Hays, KS, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,482 (2026 est.). At $54,638, the local median is 15.33% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hays: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hays Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Hays median: $54,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hays Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $58,374 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -15.33% less |
Flight Attendants in Hays, KS earn a median of $54,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.33% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $58,374.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hays 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.
Hays, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $54,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,108 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
$47,960
2025 BLS Actual
$53,836
2026 Current Est.
$54,638
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Hays (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,193 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,988 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,892 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,809 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,836 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,452 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hays metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $47,960 (2019) to $53,836 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,452 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,492 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hays 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) | $34,207 – $47,034 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,034 – $54,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,638 – $69,937 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,937 – $84,689 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Hays
Currently, the job market in Hays employs five flight attendants, making the local scene quite competitive yet offering room for growth. At a cost-of-living index of 90.9, the purchasing power in Hays allows these professionals to make the most of their salaries. Airlines operating in the region include major US carriers and regional airlines, with compensation varying widely based on the airline type and employee seniority level. High earners in the industry often benefit from factors like international flight premiums and additional stipends for language skills, which can enhance the overall earnings potential. To maximize pay within this market, new flight attendants should prioritize building seniority and consider pursuing international routes or specialized roles, thus positioning themselves favorably in the evolving landscape of flight attendant compensation in Hays, KS.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Hays, KS in 2026?
Is Hays, KS a good place to work as a flight attendant?
Can flight attendants make $100K in Hays?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted flight attendant salary in Hays?
How much does a flight attendant make per hour in Hays?
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 $53,836 for flight attendantsin the Hays 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 Hays 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