Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Wheeling, WV: $25.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Wheeling, WV runs $25.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,205 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,323 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, West Virginia, flight attendants can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $25.10 in 2026, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $31.02. This figure indicates a challenging environment for part-time workers, particularly those operating on a schedule of three days a week or per-diem basis. In typical settings such as commercial aircraft cabins, where they serve numerous aircraft types like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, or during layovers in premium hotels, flight attendants manage their schedules around flights while accounting for their pay structure. The hourly range for flight attendants in Wheeling spans from $14.65 at entry-level positions to $38.90 for top earners, reflecting the variations in experience and the responsibilities tied to different airline types operating in the region.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.65 | $117.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.84 | $166.69 |
| Median (P50) | $25.10 | $200.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.12 | $256.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.90 | $311.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $25.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.10/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, WV can expect to earn approximately $52,205 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,118. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,003.94 | $4,350 | $52,205 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $602.36 | $2,610 | $31,323 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $401.58 | $1,740 | $20,882 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Wheeling) | $25.10 |
| 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 Wheeling, WV earn a median of $52,205 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.10% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 4.70% below the West Virginia state average of $54,780.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.10/hr = $31,323/year (purchasing power: $36,211).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,205/year (purchasing power: $60,352).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Wheeling (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Wheeling grew 12.3% from $22.03/hr (2019) to $24.73/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.47/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Focusing on practical earnings, part-time flight attendants working three days a week, amounting to 24 hours, could realistically take home around $31,250 annually. This figure is a stark contrast to full-time colleagues, but many in the profession supplement their pay significantly through per-diem flight attendant pay in Wheeling, which can range from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour for international flights. While waiting for assignments or on call, junior flight attendants may not earn hourly wages, emphasizing the importance of knowing employer types in Wheeling, from major US carriers like Delta and American to regional airlines such as SkyWest. Beyond standard pay, the decision between slightly higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with health insurance can be complex for many crew members. For successful negotiations, it's advisable to closely evaluate the total compensation package, ensuring both financial and personal needs are adequately addressed.
More salary data for Wheeling, WV:
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 Wheeling. 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 Wheeling 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