Flight Attendant Salary in Chelmsford, MA: $66,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Chelmsford, MA earns a median $66,551/year (≈ $32.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Chelmsford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $61,337 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Flight attendants in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $66,551 in 2026, positioning the area slightly above the national median of $64,527. This figure is derived from BLS projections based on local cost adjustments and reflects a salary range that spans from $38,600 at the low end (10th percentile) to $103,154 at the high end (90th percentile). With 8 flight attendants employed locally, the earning potential here speaks to the structural choices within the aviation industry. Major airlines, regional carriers, and low-cost operators each offer different pay scales and job benefits, impacting overall compensation. The relatively high salary in Chelmsford suggests opportunities for flight attendants that could involve working for larger carriers that provide robust employment packages compared to regional airlines or low-cost carriers typically found in other areas.
About the Chelmsford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,091 | $26.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,551 | $32.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,186 | $40.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,154 | $49.60 |
Median Salary Position
3.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelmsford
In Chelmsford, MA, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,554 (2026 est.). At $66,551, the local median is 3.14% above the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelmsford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chelmsford Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Chelmsford median: $66,551/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelmsford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $69,980 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | +3.14% more |
Flight Attendants in Chelmsford, MA earn a median of $66,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.14% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 4.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $69,980.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelmsford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelmsford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,551 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,337 — a 7.83% reduction.
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
$58,416
2025 BLS Actual
$65,574
2026 Current Est.
$66,551
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Chelmsford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,416 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,902 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,573 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,514 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,352 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,574 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,543 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelmsford metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $58,416 (2019) to $65,574 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,543 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,127 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelmsford 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) | $38,600 – $55,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,091 – $66,551 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,551 – $85,186 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,186 – $103,154 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Chelmsford
The local job market for flight attendants is relatively modest, with just 8 individuals currently employed in Chelmsford. However, the cost of living in the area stands at a higher index of 108.5, indicating that while salaries may be competitive, the take-home purchasing power could be affected. Major US carriers like Delta and American Airlines may pay the most in this region, whereas regional airlines typically offer lower compensation. The variation in salaries reflects factors such as seniority, with longer-serving flight attendants benefitting from step increases in pay and additional perks. Language proficiency can also yield stipends, and those on international long-haul flights often earn a premium. To maximize earning potential in Chelmsford, candidates should consider aligning with major carriers and seeking out opportunities for advancement through seniority-based pay scales, as well as capitalizing on per-diem compensation on flights, which can provide valuable tax-advantaged income.
More salary data for Chelmsford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Chelmsford, MA in 2026?
Is Chelmsford, MA a good place to work as a flight attendant?
Can flight attendants make $100K in Chelmsford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted flight attendant salary in Chelmsford?
How much does a flight attendant make per hour in Chelmsford?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $65,574 for flight attendantsin the Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford 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