Flight Attendant Salary in Galesburg, IL: $59,437 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Galesburg, IL earns a median $59,437/year (≈ $28.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,212 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Galesburg, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $59,437 in 2026, which reflects a decrease in comparison to the national median of $64,527. Salaries here range from $34,473 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $92,127 at the upper end (90th percentile). These figures are projections based on 2025 BLS data and local economic conditions, considering Galesburg’s lower cost of living index, which stands at 97.1. Given that premium pay can often be associated with international long-haul assignments and language proficiency stipends, the compensation structure in Galesburg may differ significantly from larger metropolitan areas, suggesting a unique job market for flight attendants in this small city.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,473 | $16.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,057 | $23.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,437 | $28.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,079 | $36.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,127 | $44.29 |
Median Salary Position
7.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,654 (2026 est.). At $59,437, the local median is 7.89% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galesburg Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $59,437/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $62,631 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -7.89% less |
Flight Attendants in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $59,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.89% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $62,631.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $59,437 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,212 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$52,172
2025 BLS Actual
$58,564
2026 Current Est.
$59,437
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,172 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,391 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,777 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,976 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,564 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,437 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,322 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $52,172 (2019) to $58,564 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,322 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,150 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,473 – $49,057 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,057 – $59,437 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,437 – $76,079 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,079 – $92,127 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Galesburg
Despite having only four flight attendants employed locally, Galesburg presents a distinct environment shaped by its cost-of-living realities and regional airline dynamics. With a cost of living index below the national average, the purchasing power for flight attendants may be comparatively favorable, even with local salaries. Major U.S. carriers such as Delta or American Airlines typically pay higher rates, especially for experienced attendants, while regional airlines and low-cost carriers might offer less competitive pay. The variation in flight attendant salary in Galesburg primarily reflects the influence of seniority, international flight premiums, and the potential for additional income from per diem allowances. For those looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on securing positions with major carriers and accumulating flight experience is essential, as this directly impacts pay progression within the seniority-based structure prevalent in this industry.
More salary data for Galesburg, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Galesburg, IL in 2026?
Is Galesburg, IL a good place to work as a flight attendant?
Can flight attendants make $100K in Galesburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted flight attendant salary in Galesburg?
How much does a flight attendant make per hour in Galesburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,564 for flight attendantsin the Galesburg metropolitan area. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Galesburg 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