Flight Attendant Salary in Roanoke, VA: $66,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Roanoke, VA earns a median $66,023/year (≈ $31.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $63,976 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Roanoke, Virginia are anticipated to earn a median annual salary of $66,023 in 2026, representing a promising compensation level relative to the national median salary of $64,527. The salary range for this role spans from $38,293 at the 10th percentile to $102,336 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the potential for variability based on experience, responsibility, and the nature of the flights operated. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, which have been adjusted for regional cost variations. With several airlines, including major U.S. carriers and regional operators, offering positions in the area, the job market reflects both competitive salaries and diverse opportunities for flight attendants.
About the Roanoke Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,293 | $18.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,429 | $25.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,023 | $31.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,510 | $40.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,336 | $49.20 |
Median Salary Position
2.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,043 (2026 est.). At $66,023, the local median is 2.32% above the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roanoke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roanoke Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $66,023/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $66,623 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | +2.32% more |
Flight Attendants in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $66,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.32% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 0.90% below the Virginia state average of $66,623.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,023 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,976 — a 3.1% reduction.
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
$57,953
2025 BLS Actual
$65,054
2026 Current Est.
$66,023
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,953 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,419 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,238 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,955 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,054 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,007 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $57,953 (2019) to $65,054 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,007 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,054 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $38,293 – $53,429 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,429 – $66,023 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,023 – $84,510 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,510 – $102,336 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Roanoke
In Roanoke, the job market for flight attendants remains stable, with 16 individuals currently employed in this capacity. The cost of living index in the region is 103.2, slightly above the national average, which impacts the real purchasing power of flight attendants' salaries. Among local employers, major U.S. carriers such as Delta and American tend to offer higher compensation packages, especially for those with seniority. The disparity in flight attendant pay in Roanoke, VA can be attributed to several factors, including years of service and potential language proficiency stipends, with experienced attendants often benefiting from pay increases and additional earnings through per-diem allowances. Aspiring flight attendants should consider pursuing opportunities with major airlines that require FAA Certification of Demonstrated Proficiency and might also explore international long-haul routes, which typically provide a pay premium over domestic services and can significantly enhance overall earnings.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Roanoke, VA in 2026?
Is Roanoke, VA a good place to work as a flight attendant?
Can flight attendants make $100K in Roanoke?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted flight attendant salary in Roanoke?
How much does a flight attendant make per hour in Roanoke?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $65,054 for flight attendantsin the Roanoke 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 Roanoke 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