Flight Attendant Salary in Staunton, VA: $63,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Staunton, VA earns a median $63,848/year (≈ $30.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $61,868 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendant salaries in Staunton, VA, show a median compensation of $63,848, slightly below the national median of $64,527. This pay landscape includes a salary range from $38,004 at the lower 10th percentile to $98,965 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect regional adjustments and the evolving nature of aviation roles, particularly as Staunton's job market features a limited workforce of just five flight attendants. The local employment scene is shaped significantly by the presence of major airlines, regional carriers, low-cost airlines, and private aviation. Each segment offers varying pay scales and benefits tied to seniority and operational differences.
About the Staunton Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,004 | $18.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,514 | $25.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,848 | $30.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,726 | $39.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,965 | $47.58 |
Median Salary Position
1.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,961 (2026 est.). At $63,848, the local median is 1.05% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Staunton median: $63,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $66,578 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -1.05% less |
Flight Attendants in Staunton, VA earn a median of $63,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.05% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $66,578.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,848 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,868 — 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
$56,044
2025 BLS Actual
$62,911
2026 Current Est.
$63,848
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,044 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,429 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,991 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,089 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,651 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,284 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,911 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,800 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $56,044 (2019) to $62,911 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,800 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,756 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $38,004 – $53,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,514 – $63,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,848 – $81,726 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,726 – $98,965 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Staunton
While five flight attendants are currently employed in Staunton, the local cost of living index of 103.2 indicates that expenses are slightly above the national average, influencing overall take-home pay. Major airlines tend to pay higher salaries compared to regional or low-cost carriers, with the potential for increased earnings through seniority-based pay scales, which are integral to a flight attendant's career trajectory. Factors such as per-diem earnings during layovers and possible premiums for international routes also create disparities in compensation. Aspiring flight attendants can maximize their pay by seeking opportunities with larger carriers that offer robust salary packages and benefits, and by gaining experience in international operations to benefit from elevated pay scales associated with long-haul flights. Understanding the dynamics between the various employer types and how they impact flight attendant pay in Staunton can provide essential insights for navigating career prospects.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Staunton, VA in 2026?
Is Staunton, VA a good place to work as a flight attendant?
Can flight attendants make $100K in Staunton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted flight attendant salary in Staunton?
How much does a flight attendant make per hour in Staunton?
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 $62,911 for flight attendantsin the Staunton 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 Staunton 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