Flight Attendant Salary

Kirkland vs Seattle: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Kirkland, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kirkland, WA
$69,068
$33.21/hr
Seattle, WA
$76,219
$36.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKirkland, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$69,068$76,219
Hourly Rate$33.21$36.65
Entry Level (P10)$40,059$48,766
25th Percentile$54,381$64,152
75th Percentile$88,407$100,668
Top Earner (P90)$107,056$137,336
Total Employed13N/A
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kirkland ($69,068) and Seattle ($76,219) flight attendant salaries.KirklandSeattleMedian Salary$69,068$76,219Entry Level (P10)$40,059$48,766Top Earner (P90)$107,056$137,336US Median $64,527

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kirkland.

The salary gap between Kirkland and Seattle is $7,151 (10.35%). Seattle's median is +18.12% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kirkland spans $66,997,Seattle spans $88,570. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Kirkland
P10 (Entry)$40,059
P25$54,381
Median$69,068
P75$88,407
P90 (Top)$107,056
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$48,766
P25$64,152
Median$76,219
P75$100,668
P90 (Top)$137,336

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($68,584 effective) pays 6.65% more than Kirkland ($64,309 effective).

Kirkland
Nominal: $69,068
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $64,309
Seattle
Nominal: $76,219
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $68,584

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kirkland if…

  • Larger job market (13 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,219/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,336)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,584)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Kirkland grew -15.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.9% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Kirkland, WA

+-15.2%

$80,277 (2024) → $68,054 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+7.9%

$69,570 (2019) → $75,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Kirkland or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median flight attendant salary at $76,219/year, compared to Kirkland at $69,068/year — a difference of $7,151 (10.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kirkland and Seattle?

Kirkland flight attendants earn $33.21/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $36.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kirkland to Seattle as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kirkland and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kirkland = $64,309, Seattle = $68,584), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Kirkland vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $40,059 in Kirkland and $48,766 in Seattle. The Seattle area offers higher starting salaries.
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