Flight Attendant Salary in Appleton, WI: $61,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Appleton, WI earns a median $61,189/year (≈ $29.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $65,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Appleton, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $61,189 in 2026, which reflects a slight dip when compared to the national median of $64,527. Salaries in this field vary significantly, with projections indicating a range from $35,490 at the 10th percentile to $94,843 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, which means local market conditions play a crucial role in determining flight attendant pay in Appleton. The salary dynamics are shaped by the presence of major airlines, regional carriers, and low-cost options, creating a competitive environment for flight attendants pursuing different employment paths based on their career aspirations.
About the Appleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,238 | $24.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,189 | $29.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,322 | $37.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,843 | $45.60 |
Median Salary Position
5.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,353 (2026 est.). At $61,189, the local median is 5.17% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Appleton Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Appleton median: $61,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,933 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -5.17% less |
Flight Attendants in Appleton, WI earn a median of $61,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.17% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,933.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $61,189 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,513 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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
$53,710
2025 BLS Actual
$60,291
2026 Current Est.
$61,189
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,995 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,451 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,462 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,542 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,291 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,101 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $53,710 (2019) to $60,291 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,391 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $35,490 – $51,238 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,238 – $61,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,189 – $78,322 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,322 – $94,843 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Appleton
As of 2026, Appleton's flight attendant workforce comprises approximately 17 professionals, a modest number that reflects both the regional demand and the impact of the cost-of-living index, currently at 93.4, which is below the national average. This lower cost-of-living suggests that flight attendants may have a higher purchasing power despite the competitive pay rates. Among local employers, major airlines like Delta and American typically offer the highest salaries, especially for more experienced attendants, while regional airlines and low-cost carriers may provide starting salaries that are closer to the lower end of the pay spectrum. Factors such as seniority, trip length, and international routes can greatly influence compensation, with many in the industry capitalizing on per-diem supplements to bolster their earnings. For those in Appleton looking to maximize their pay, pursuing opportunities at major airlines or seeking advancement through seniority might prove to be the most beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Appleton, WI in 2026?
Is Appleton, WI a good place to work as a flight attendant?
Can flight attendants make $100K in Appleton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted flight attendant salary in Appleton?
How much does a flight attendant make per hour in Appleton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $60,291 for flight attendantsin the Appleton 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 Appleton 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