Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $27.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in West Des Moines, IA runs $27.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,027 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,211 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in West Des Moines, Iowa, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $27.41 in 2026, which is noticeably below the national median of $31.02. This rate reflects the typical earnings for professionals who engage in part-time work, such as those who operate three days a week in locations like commercial aircraft cabins on models such as the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, and serve in roles that include galley service and jumpseat positions. With an hourly range starting at $15.90 for entry-level positions and going up to $42.49 for top earners, flight attendants here can expect varying pay scales depending on their experience and seniority within the airline industry. The estimated hourly figures are derived from BLS data, helping to provide a clear understanding of potential earnings across different roles and responsibilities in this line of work.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.90 | $127.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.98 | $175.86 |
| Median (P50) | $27.41 | $219.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.10 | $280.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.49 | $339.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $27.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.41/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $57,018 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,895. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,096.50 | $4,751 | $57,018 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $657.90 | $2,851 | $34,211 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $438.60 | $1,901 | $22,807 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (West Des Moines) | $27.41 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $57,027 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.62% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 2.30% below the Iowa state average of $58,370.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.41/hr = $34,211/year (purchasing power: $37,844).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,018/year (purchasing power: $63,073).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in West Des Moines grew 12.3% from $24.06/hr (2019) to $27.01/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.82/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 West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines
For those considering part-time opportunities, a flight attendant working three days a week typically earns significantly less on an annual basis than their full-time counterparts. Assuming a schedule of 24 hours weekly, the annual income may hover around $29,000, whereas full-timers could surpass $57,000. Additionally, the per diem pay is a key component in the earnings of flight attendants, often ranging from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour on international trips, which can greatly enhance overall compensation, especially during busy travel seasons. Agency and locum positions can also offer flexible earning potentials, appealing to those who seek varied experiences across different airlines, from major U.S. carriers like Delta and Southwest to regional and low-cost carriers. While flight attendants at larger airlines often have benefits that offset a slightly lower hourly wage, those at regional carriers might choose a higher hourly rate with fewer or no perks. Given these considerations, it’s wise to navigate compensation negotiations carefully, as different employers can significantly adjust hourly rates based on experience and the specific operational demands at various stations in West Des Moines, IA.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for flight attendants in West Des Moines in 2026?
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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 West Des Moines. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for West Des Moines is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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