Flight Attendant Salary

Cincinnati vs Lima: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Lima, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$60,983
$29.32/hr
Lima, OH
$57,572
$27.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHLima, OH
Median Salary$60,983$57,572
Hourly Rate$29.32$27.68
Entry Level (P10)$35,370$34,915
25th Percentile$48,104$48,775
75th Percentile$78,059$73,693
Top Earner (P90)$94,524$89,237
Total Employed728
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($60,983) and Lima ($57,572) flight attendant salaries.CincinnatiLimaMedian Salary$60,983$57,572Entry Level (P10)$35,370$34,915Top Earner (P90)$94,524$89,237US Median $64,527

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lima.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Lima is $3,411 (5.92%). Cincinnati's median is -5.49% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $59,154,Lima spans $54,322. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$35,370
P25$48,104
Median$60,983
P75$78,059
P90 (Top)$94,524
Lima
P10 (Entry)$34,915
P25$48,775
Median$57,572
P75$73,693
P90 (Top)$89,237

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($67,236 effective) pays 5.92% more than Lima ($63,475 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $60,983
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $67,236
Lima
Nominal: $57,572
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $63,475

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,983/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,524)
  • Larger job market (72 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,236)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Lima if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Cincinnati grew 4.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.0% growth in Lima over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+4.7%

$57,390 (2019) → $60,088 (2025)

Lima, OH

+6.0%

$53,533 (2024) → $56,727 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Cincinnati or Lima?

Cincinnati has a higher median flight attendant salary at $60,983/year, compared to Lima at $57,572/year — a difference of $3,411 (5.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Lima?

Cincinnati flight attendants earn $29.32/hr while Lima hygienists earn $27.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Lima as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Lima. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $67,236, Lima = $63,475), job availability (72 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Cincinnati vs Lima?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $35,370 in Cincinnati and $34,915 in Lima. The Cincinnati area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

EJ

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.

Clinically reviewed by Raj Patel, AFA-CWAData verified by Maria Gomez, AFA-CWA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.49% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Johnson, AFA-CWA, a licensed flight attendant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov