Flight Attendant Salary in Bellingham, WA: $69,244 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Bellingham, WA earns a median $69,244/year (≈ $33.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $64,473 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Bellingham, Washington, can expect a median annual salary of $69,244 in 2026, which reflects the region's unique employment demographic and market conditions. Those working in major carriers, like Delta or American, generally earn more than their counterparts in regional airlines or low-cost carriers, contributing to a salary range that spans from $40,162 at the 10th percentile to $107,328 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for 2026 projections and local cost-of-living considerations, which influence take-home pay. In Bellingham, proximity to both Seattle and Vancouver can also impact job availability and competition among airlines for skilled attendants.
About the Bellingham Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,162 | $19.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,733 | $26.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,244 | $33.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,632 | $42.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,328 | $51.60 |
Median Salary Position
7.31% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,166 (2026 est.). At $69,244, the local median is 7.31% above the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $69,244/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $69,313 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | +7.31% more |
Flight Attendants in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $69,244 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $69,313.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,244 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,473 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,780
2025 BLS Actual
$68,227
2026 Current Est.
$69,244
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,366 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,145 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,367 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,481 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,227 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,244 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,275 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $60,780 (2019) to $68,227 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,275 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,495 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $40,162 – $54,733 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,733 – $69,244 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,244 – $88,632 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,632 – $107,328 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Bellingham
With only 13 flight attendants currently employed in Bellingham, the job market remains competitive yet stable. The area's cost of living index stands at 107.4, indicating that expenses are slightly above the national average. This reality emphasizes the importance of maximizing compensation opportunities for local flight attendants. Generally, major carriers typically offer the highest pay structures between significant seniority and long-haul international routes, which are sometimes 15-30% above standard domestic fares. To enhance earnings, attendants might consider seeking opportunities with major U.S. carriers or developing specific skills that command higher per-diem stipends, a key component of total compensation in this field. Understanding the local employment habits can further empower attendants to make informed decisions about their careers in Bellingham, WA.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
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 $68,227 for flight attendantsin the Bellingham 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 Bellingham 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