Flight Attendant Salary in Nebraska: $60,425 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median flight attendant pay sits at $60,425/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2031. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,038 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($61,731), Lincoln ($60,354), Grand Island ($56,614).
In 2026, the average median salary for flight attendants in Nebraska is projected to be $60,425, which is 6.4% lower than the national median of $64,527. Omaha leads the state, offering the highest salary for this role at $62,651, while North Platte has the lowest at $54,737. This $7,914 difference can largely be attributed to variations in the cost of living and the concentration of airlines and airports. In more urban areas like Omaha and Lincoln, where demand for air travel is higher, wages tend to be greater. Nebraska flight attendants must meet state licensing requirements and follow federal guidelines, which influences job readiness and market entry. The expected growth rate for positions is 1.49%, as indicated by recent projections. This suggests a steady demand for flight attendants, driven by the ongoing recovery of the travel industry and increased air travel rates. The total number of flight attendants employed in the state stands at 252, with other prominent cities like Lincoln ($61,253), Grand Island ($57,458), Hastings ($57,429), and Fremont ($57,119) showing competitive salary opportunities. Understanding these local factors and salary expectations can aid individuals considering a career in this field within Nebraska.
Nebraska Flight Attendant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $32,764 (lowest entry-level) to $97,109 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska flight attendants earn 6.36% less than the national median ($-4,102/year difference).
Nebraska Flight Attendant Salary Distribution (2026)
Flight Attendant salaries in Nebraska range from $35,274 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $93,658 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,425. The Nebraska median is $4,102 below the US national median of $64,527. The average hourly rate is $29.05/hr. Approximately 252 flight attendants are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,039
2025 BLS Actual
$59,538
2026 Current Est.
$60,425
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,039 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,296 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,721 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,706 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,023 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,659 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,538 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,425 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,325 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $53,039 (2019) to $59,538 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,325 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,286 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $54,737 |
| Papillion | $54,755 |
| La Vista | $54,813 |
| Norfolk | $54,821 |
| Columbus | $54,967 |
Best Value Cities for Flight Attendants in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for flight attendants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $62,651 | 91.5 | $68,471 |
| Lincoln | $61,253 | 91.5 | $66,943 |
| Grand Island | $57,458 | 91.5 | $62,796 |
| Hastings | $57,429 | 91.5 | $62,764 |
| Fremont | $57,119 | 91.5 | $62,425 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $35,274 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,425 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $93,658 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $62,651 |
| 2 | Lincoln | $61,253 |
| 3 | Grand Island | $57,458 |
| 4 | Hastings | $57,429 |
| 5 | Fremont | $57,119 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $57,001 |
| 7 | Kearney | $56,685 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $56,490 |
| 9 | Columbus | $54,967 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $54,821 |
| 11 | La Vista | $54,813 |
| 12 | Papillion | $54,755 |
| 13 | North Platte | $54,737 |
More Nebraska 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 Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for flight attendants in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska flight attendant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level flight attendant salary in Nebraska?
How many flight attendants are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska 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 Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 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