Flight Attendant Salary

Memphis vs Nashville: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Memphis, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Memphis, TN
$62,922
$30.25/hr
Nashville, TN
$63,880
$30.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMemphis, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$62,922$63,880
Hourly Rate$30.25$30.71
Entry Level (P10)$36,495$37,050
25th Percentile$51,419$49,599
75th Percentile$80,539$81,766
Top Earner (P90)$97,529$99,014
Total Employed122166
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Memphis ($62,922) and Nashville ($63,880) flight attendant salaries.MemphisNashvilleMedian Salary$62,922$63,880Entry Level (P10)$36,495$37,050Top Earner (P90)$97,529$99,014US Median $64,527

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Memphis.

The salary gap between Memphis and Nashville is $958 (1.52%). Nashville's median is -1.00% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Memphis spans $61,034,Nashville spans $61,964. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Memphis
P10 (Entry)$36,495
P25$51,419
Median$62,922
P75$80,539
P90 (Top)$97,529
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$37,050
P25$49,599
Median$63,880
P75$81,766
P90 (Top)$99,014

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($69,586 effective) pays 1.52% more than Memphis ($68,542 effective).

Memphis
Nominal: $62,922
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $68,542
Nashville
Nominal: $63,880
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $69,586

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Memphis if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,880/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,014)
  • Larger job market (166 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,586)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Memphis grew 8.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.0% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Memphis, TN

+8.0%

$57,409 (2024) → $61,998 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+8.0%

$58,283 (2024) → $62,942 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Memphis or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median flight attendant salary at $63,880/year, compared to Memphis at $62,922/year — a difference of $958 (1.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Memphis and Nashville?

Memphis flight attendants earn $30.25/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $30.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Memphis to Nashville as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Memphis and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Memphis = $68,542, Nashville = $69,586), job availability (122 vs 166 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Memphis vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $36,495 in Memphis and $37,050 in Nashville. The Nashville 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