Flight Attendant Salary in Grand Island, NE: $57,458 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Grand Island, NE earns a median $57,458/year (≈ $27.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Grand Island's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,796 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendants in Grand Island, Nebraska, can expect a median annual salary of $57,458, which is approximately 10.96% lower than the national average of $64,527. Their salary can range from around $33,325 at the 10th percentile to $89,060 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibility within this profession. These estimates are derived from state-level data and take into account regional cost adjustments, which in this case highlight both the presence of various airline types—major US carriers versus regional and low-cost options—and the competitive pay structures they offer. With the unique operational dynamics in Nebraska, especially with fewer major carriers compared to larger metropolitan regions, the opportunities may vary significantly within the local aviation job market.
About the Grand Island Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,325 | $16.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,000 | $22.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,458 | $27.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,546 | $35.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,060 | $42.82 |
Median Salary Position
10.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Island
In Grand Island, NE, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,735 (2026 est.). At $57,458, the local median is 10.96% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Island Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Grand Island median: $57,458/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $58,870 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -10.96% less |
Flight Attendants in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $57,458 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.96% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $58,870.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Island has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Island, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $57,458 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,796 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,434
2025 BLS Actual
$56,614
2026 Current Est.
$57,458
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,434 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,887 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,774 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,879 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,122 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,458 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,314 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Island metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $50,434 (2019) to $56,614 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,314 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,880 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island 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) | $33,325 – $46,000 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,000 – $57,458 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,458 – $73,546 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,546 – $89,060 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Grand Island
In Grand Island, the job market for flight attendants shows 14 employed individuals, though the overall compensation could be influenced by the local cost of living index, which stands at 91.5. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of flight attendant pay in Grand Island, NE, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle despite a salary that lags behind national averages. Those interested in maximizing their pay should consider the type of carrier they align with; while major airlines may offer better long-term financial benefits through seniority-based pay scales, regional and low-cost carriers may present quicker opportunities for entry into the industry. Flight attendants can further enhance income through per-diem allowances during travel, which can add significant value. Understanding the distinctions among these employment options, and how factors like seniority, international routes, and specialized skills affect earnings, is crucial for new entrants into the field or those already navigating the Grand Island market.
More salary data for Grand Island, 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
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 $56,614 for flight attendantsin the Grand Island 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 Grand Island 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