Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $43.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in San Francisco, CA runs $43.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $90,763 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,464 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Francisco, flight attendants command a median hourly pay of $43.64, significantly higher than the national median of $31.02. This difference reflects the leveraging of the city’s high cost of living, which affects pay scales in various airline environments, including commercial aircraft cabins like Boeing and Airbus models, where attendants work in roles such as galley service and jumpseat positions. Entry-level flight attendants can expect to earn around $25.72 per hour, while those at the top of the scale may achieve pay as high as $69.15 hourly. The hourly figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, provide a clear picture of the wage expectations for flight attendants operating in one of the most expensive cities in the United States.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.72 | $205.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.71 | $237.65 |
| Median (P50) | $43.64 | $349.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.82 | $430.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.15 | $553.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $43.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.64/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $90,773 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,369. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,745.63 | $7,564 | $90,773 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,047.38 | $4,539 | $54,464 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $698.25 | $3,026 | $36,309 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (San Francisco) | $43.64 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Air Traffic Controller (National Avg) | $66.35 |
| Travel Agent (National Avg) | $22.99 |
| Hotel / Cruise Desk Clerk (National Avg) | $16.49 |
Flight Attendants in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $90,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.66% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 24.40% above the California state average of $72,960.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.64/hr = $54,464/year (purchasing power: $47,109).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $90,773/year (purchasing power: $78,514).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+67.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $48.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in San Francisco grew 62.2% from $26.51/hr (2019) to $43.00/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem flight attendants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 1.49% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Flight Attendant in San Francisco
Moreover, part-time flight attendants working three days a week can expect variable earning opportunities based on their schedules and the nature of their flight duties. When focusing solely on flight hours, a part-time schedule could yield earnings significantly below a full-time counterpart, but those compensated via per-diem also benefit from tax-advantaged reimbursements, which can often range from $1.80 to $3.00 an hour for international flights. For example, full-time flight attendants can effectively earn up to $80 per hour when factoring in per diem. However, pay structures can differ widely based on the employer. Major airlines like American and Delta may offer higher base hourly rates but with the trade-off of more structured schedules, while regional airlines often provide lower hourly pay yet more flexible hours. In negotiations, candidates should prioritize the balance between hourly pay and benefits, understanding that while some may choose lower pay for better health insurance options, others may prefer the higher pay that comes without such perks.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for flight attendants in San Francisco. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.49%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for flight attendants (SOC 53-2031).
Compiled and verified by Emily Johnson, AFA-CWA, a licensed flight attendant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov