Flight Attendant Salary

Plainfield vs Springfield: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Plainfield, IL and Springfield, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Plainfield, IL
$60,584
$29.13/hr
Springfield, IL
$62,040
$29.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPlainfield, ILSpringfield, IL
Median Salary$60,584$62,040
Hourly Rate$29.13$29.83
Entry Level (P10)$36,645$35,983
25th Percentile$51,399$50,112
75th Percentile$77,549$79,411
Top Earner (P90)$93,906$96,162
Total Employed1122
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Plainfield ($60,584) and Springfield ($62,040) flight attendant salaries.PlainfieldSpringfieldMedian Salary$60,584$62,040Entry Level (P10)$36,645$35,983Top Earner (P90)$93,906$96,162US Median $64,527

Verdict

Springfield, IL offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Plainfield.

The salary gap between Plainfield and Springfield is $1,456 (2.40%). Springfield's median is -3.85% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Plainfield spans $57,261,Springfield spans $60,179. Springfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Plainfield
P10 (Entry)$36,645
P25$51,399
Median$60,584
P75$77,549
P90 (Top)$93,906
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$35,983
P25$50,112
Median$62,040
P75$79,411
P90 (Top)$96,162

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($63,893 effective) pays 2.40% more than Plainfield ($62,393 effective).

Plainfield
Nominal: $60,584
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $62,393
Springfield
Nominal: $62,040
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $63,893

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Plainfield if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,040/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,162)
  • Larger job market (22 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,893)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Plainfield grew -11.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -11.7% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Plainfield, IL

+-11.7%

$67,600 (2024) → $59,695 (2025)

Springfield, IL

+-11.7%

$69,224 (2024) → $61,129 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Plainfield or Springfield?

Springfield has a higher median flight attendant salary at $62,040/year, compared to Plainfield at $60,584/year — a difference of $1,456 (2.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Plainfield and Springfield?

Plainfield flight attendants earn $29.13/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $29.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Plainfield to Springfield as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Plainfield and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Plainfield = $62,393, Springfield = $63,893), job availability (11 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Plainfield vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $36,645 in Plainfield and $35,983 in Springfield. The Plainfield 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