Flight Attendant Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $57,598 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $57,598/year (≈ $27.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $64,283 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendants in Cape Girardeau, MO, can expect a median annual salary of $57,598. This figure reflects a salary range that spans from $35,150 at the lower end to $89,277 at the high end, providing a diverse outlook based on experience and role within the airline industry. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the local cost of living, suggest that while compensation is slightly below the national median salary of $64,527, the opportunity remains significant, particularly for those willing to enhance their qualifications. Cape Girardeau's market features a limited number of positions, emphasizing the competitive nature of securing flight attendant roles in the area.
About the Cape Girardeau Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,095 | $23.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,598 | $27.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,725 | $35.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,277 | $42.92 |
Median Salary Position
10.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,127 (2026 est.). At $57,598, the local median is 10.74% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cape Girardeau Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $57,598/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $59,379 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -10.74% less |
Flight Attendants in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $57,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.74% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 3.00% below the Missouri state average of $59,379.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $57,598 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,283 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,557
2025 BLS Actual
$56,752
2026 Current Est.
$57,598
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Cape Girardeau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,557 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,708 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,913 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,028 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,752 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,598 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,456 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $50,557 (2019) to $56,752 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,456 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,899 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau 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) | $35,150 – $49,095 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,095 – $57,598 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,598 – $73,725 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,725 – $89,277 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Cape Girardeau
Flight attendants in Cape Girardeau face a relatively low cost of living index of 89.6, compared to the national average, which can positively affect their take-home purchasing power. With only six flight attendants currently representing this profession in the region, competition for roles, particularly with major airlines like Delta or American, can be intense as flight attendant pay in Cape Girardeau MO may vary. Among the factors influencing salaries are seniority within the airline, with experienced attendants earning significantly more than their less tenured counterparts. To maximize earnings, aspiring flight attendants should consider opportunities with international carriers where pay can increase by 15-30% due to its long-haul nature, in addition to leveraging any language proficiency stipend. Staying attuned to the local job market and understanding the dynamics of different airlines can aid individuals in navigating their career path effectively.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
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 $56,752 for flight attendantsin the Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau 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