Flight Attendant Salary in South Carolina: $59,963 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median flight attendant pay sits at $59,963/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2031. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,533 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Charleston ($61,400), North Charleston ($61,376), Columbia ($61,054).
In South Carolina, the projected average median salary for flight attendants in 2026 is $59,962, which is about 7.1% lower than the national median of $64,527. The highest-paying city in the state is Charleston, where flight attendants can expect to earn an average of $62,315. In contrast, those in Clemson earn the least at $55,607, highlighting a salary gap of $6,708 between the two cities. Factors driving this difference may include the cost of living, local airline presence, and demand for air travel services in these areas. As of 2026, there are 240 flight attendants employed across South Carolina, with top projected salaries found in North Charleston at $62,291, Columbia at $61,964, Mount Pleasant at $61,273, and Greenville at $60,814. The job market is anticipated to grow at a rate of 1.49% annually, driven by the overall demand for air travel and the expansion of the state’s tourism sector. South Carolina has specific state licensing requirements for flight attendants, which typically mirror federal regulations but may include additional training or certifications. As air travel continues to evolve, many regions in the state are expected to see sustained demand for these positions, providing opportunities for job stability and growth.
South Carolina Flight Attendant Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $33,080 (lowest entry-level) to $96,588 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina flight attendants earn 7.07% less than the national median ($-4,564/year difference).
South Carolina Flight Attendant Salary Distribution (2026)
Flight Attendant salaries in South Carolina range from $34,984 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $92,942 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,963. The South Carolina median is $4,564 below the US national median of $64,527. The average hourly rate is $28.83/hr. Approximately 240 flight attendants are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,633
2025 BLS Actual
$59,082
2026 Current Est.
$59,963
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,633 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,873 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,533 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,972 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,082 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,963 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,856 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $52,633 (2019) to $59,082 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,856 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,223 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Flight Attendants in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for flight attendants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $62,315 | 91.5 | $68,104 |
| North Charleston | $62,291 | 91.5 | $68,078 |
| Columbia | $61,964 | 91.5 | $67,720 |
| Mount Pleasant | $61,273 | 91.5 | $66,965 |
| Greenville | $60,814 | 91.5 | $66,463 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $34,984 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,963 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $92,942 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | $62,315 |
| 2 | North Charleston | $62,291 |
| 3 | Columbia | $61,964 |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant | $61,273 |
| 5 | Greenville | $60,814 |
| 6 | Rock Hill | $60,144 |
| 7 | Greer | $59,988 |
| 8 | Hilton Head Island | $59,983 |
| 9 | Anderson | $59,927 |
| 10 | Aiken | $59,880 |
| 11 | Hanahan | $59,796 |
| 12 | Mauldin | $59,444 |
| 13 | Myrtle Beach | $59,402 |
| 14 | Summerville | $59,125 |
| 15 | Florence | $58,629 |
| 16 | Spartanburg | $58,605 |
| 17 | Simpsonville | $58,151 |
| 18 | Fort Mill | $58,123 |
| 19 | Goose Creek | $57,987 |
| 20 | Sumter | $57,509 |
| 21 | Bluffton | $57,462 |
| 22 | Lexington | $57,038 |
| 23 | Easley | $56,020 |
| 24 | Conway | $55,717 |
| 25 | Tega Cay | $55,712 |
| 26 | Clemson | $55,607 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore flight attendant hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
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 South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for flight attendants in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina flight attendant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level flight attendant salary in South Carolina?
How many flight attendants are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina 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 South Carolina. 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