Flight Attendant Salary in Bettendorf, IA: $55,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Bettendorf, IA earns a median $55,753/year (≈ $26.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Bettendorf's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $61,674 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendants in Bettendorf, Iowa, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $55,753, reflecting the local seniority-based pay scale that governs compensation across the aviation industry. The salary range spans from $32,861 at the 10th percentile to $86,417 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial difference based on experience and the specific airline employer. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors. Comparatively, the salary for flight attendants in Bettendorf falls approximately 13.60% below the projected national median of $64,527, suggesting unique local market dynamics that influence pay structures, particularly for those entering the profession compared to more experienced colleagues.
About the Bettendorf Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,861 | $15.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,753 | $26.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,364 | $34.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,417 | $41.55 |
Median Salary Position
13.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bettendorf
In Bettendorf, IA, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,556 (2026 est.). At $55,753, the local median is 13.6% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bettendorf: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bettendorf Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Bettendorf median: $55,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bettendorf Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $58,380 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -13.60% less |
Flight Attendants in Bettendorf, IA earn a median of $55,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.60% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $58,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bettendorf has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bettendorf, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $55,753 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,674 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,938
2025 BLS Actual
$54,934
2026 Current Est.
$55,753
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Bettendorf (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,938 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,258 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,073 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,092 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,934 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,583 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bettendorf metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $48,938 (2019) to $54,934 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,583 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,645 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bettendorf 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) | $32,861 – $46,490 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,490 – $55,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,753 – $71,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,364 – $86,417 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Bettendorf
With only 10 flight attendants currently employed in the Bettendorf area, the local job market remains quite niche. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, indicating a lower-than-average expense for residents, which does benefit overall purchasing power. Nationally recognized carriers like Delta and American typically dominate compensation, though regional airlines and low-cost carriers may also be competitive depending on specific roles. Wage disparities among flight attendants are largely influenced by factors such as years of service, with seniority leading to higher earnings over time, and additional incentives like international long-haul premiums and stipends for language proficiency. To maximize flight attendant pay in Bettendorf, candidates should focus on gaining experience with major airlines that offer step increases and consider opportunities for lucrative per-diem compensation, which can further enhance their financial standing.
More salary data for Bettendorf, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $54,934 for flight attendantsin the Bettendorf 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 Bettendorf 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