Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Lincoln, NE: $29.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Lincoln, NE runs $29.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,253 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Lincoln's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,757 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lincoln, Nebraska, the flight attendant hourly pay is projected to be $29.45 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $31.02. This rate reflects the unique economic circumstances of the region and accounts for the cost of living, which is lower than the national average. For flight attendants working part-time—around three days a week—the earnings can vary significantly, especially given the nature of duty assignments that may include commercial aircraft cabins, galley service stations, and jumpseat positions during takeoff and landing. The hourly range for flight attendants in Lincoln starts at $17.08 for entry-level positions and can peak at $45.65 for those in more advanced roles, illustrating the pay potential across different career stages within this profession.
About the Lincoln Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.08 | $136.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.75 | $182.03 |
| Median (P50) | $29.45 | $235.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.69 | $301.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.65 | $365.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lincoln
Based on $29.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.45/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lincoln, NE can expect to earn approximately $61,261 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,343. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lincoln.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lincoln
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,178.10 | $5,105 | $61,261 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.86 | $3,063 | $36,757 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.24 | $2,042 | $24,504 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Lincoln) | $29.45 |
| 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 Lincoln, NE earn a median of $61,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.07% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 4.10% above the Nebraska state average of $58,841.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.45/hr = $36,757/year (purchasing power: $40,171).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,261/year (purchasing power: $66,952).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Lincoln grew 12.3% from $25.85/hr (2019) to $29.02/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.89/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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln
Considering part-time work, a flight attendant operating three days a week at this hourly rate could expect to take home a considerably different annual income compared to full-time colleagues. When combining per diem rates—which often range from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour for international flights and slightly less for domestic routes—some flight attendants can see their effective hourly earnings rise significantly, particularly during busy international trips. Employers, from major US carriers like Delta and American to low-cost and regional airlines, present diverse pay structures; typically, larger airlines offer higher hourly rates but also provide comprehensive benefits like health insurance. Therefore, flight attendants must weigh the benefits of potentially lower hourly pay against the value of health and job security. Negotiating hourly rates effectively in Lincoln can center around emphasizing experience and union representation, key factors that can influence pay in this competitive field.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Lincoln. 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 Lincoln 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