Flight Attendant Salary

Olathe vs Shawnee: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Olathe, KS and Shawnee, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Olathe, KS
$58,556
$28.15/hr
Shawnee, KS
$56,888
$27.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOlathe, KSShawnee, KS
Median Salary$58,556$56,888
Hourly Rate$28.15$27.35
Entry Level (P10)$33,963$32,995
25th Percentile$48,211$46,703
75th Percentile$74,951$72,817
Top Earner (P90)$90,761$88,177
Total Employed3311
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Olathe ($58,556) and Shawnee ($56,888) flight attendant salaries.OlatheShawneeMedian Salary$58,556$56,888Entry Level (P10)$33,963$32,995Top Earner (P90)$90,761$88,177US Median $64,527

Verdict

Olathe, KS offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shawnee.

The salary gap between Olathe and Shawnee is $1,668 (2.93%). Olathe's median is -9.25% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Olathe spans $56,798,Shawnee spans $55,182. Olathe has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Olathe
P10 (Entry)$33,963
P25$48,211
Median$58,556
P75$74,951
P90 (Top)$90,761
Shawnee
P10 (Entry)$32,995
P25$46,703
Median$56,888
P75$72,817
P90 (Top)$88,177

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Olathe ($64,418 effective) pays 2.93% more than Shawnee ($62,583 effective).

Olathe
Nominal: $58,556
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $64,418
Shawnee
Nominal: $56,888
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $62,583

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Olathe if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,556/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,761)
  • Larger job market (33 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,418)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Shawnee if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Olathe grew 15.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.0% growth in Shawnee over the same period.

Olathe, KS

+15.0%

$50,166 (2024) → $57,696 (2025)

Shawnee, KS

+15.0%

$48,737 (2024) → $56,053 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Olathe or Shawnee?

Olathe has a higher median flight attendant salary at $58,556/year, compared to Shawnee at $56,888/year — a difference of $1,668 (2.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Olathe and Shawnee?

Olathe flight attendants earn $28.15/hr while Shawnee hygienists earn $27.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Olathe to Shawnee as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Olathe and Shawnee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Olathe = $64,418, Shawnee = $62,583), job availability (33 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Olathe vs Shawnee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $33,963 in Olathe and $32,995 in Shawnee. The Olathe 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