Flight Attendant Salary in North Carolina: $64,296 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 43 metropolitan areas, the average median flight attendant pay sits at $64,296/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2031. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,692 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Concord ($65,952), Charlotte ($64,890), Gastonia ($63,507).
In 2026, the average median salary for flight attendants in North Carolina is projected to be $64,296, which is slightly below the national median of $64,527, reflecting a difference of -0.4%. Concord emerges as the highest-paying city at $66,935, while Pinehurst offers the lowest average salary at $55,981. The salary gap of $10,954 between these cities can be attributed to varying demand for air travel, local cost of living, and the presence of major airline hubs, with Charlotte being a key airport contributing to higher salaries in surrounding areas. North Carolina's flight attendants must meet specific state licensing requirements, but generally, they follow federal guidelines with no unique state-specific practice laws complicating their employment. An annual growth rate of 1.49% indicates steady job market prospects, driven by increased travel demand and expanding airlines. As of 2026, there are a total of 2,186 flight attendants employed in the state, with top projected salaries in cities like Charlotte at $65,857 and Gastonia at $64,453. The job outlook remains positive, with Raleigh and Winston-Salem also contributing to the overall employment landscape within the state.
North Carolina Flight Attendant Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $33,017 (lowest entry-level) to $103,749 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina flight attendants earn 0.36% less than the national median ($-231/year difference).
North Carolina Flight Attendant Salary Distribution (2026)
Flight Attendant salaries in North Carolina range from $54,512 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $95,460 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $64,296. The North Carolina median is $231 below the US national median of $64,527. The average hourly rate is $30.91/hr. Approximately 2,186 flight attendants are employed across 43 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,343
2025 BLS Actual
$63,352
2026 Current Est.
$64,296
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,343 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,737 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,654 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,352 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,296 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,254 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew -4.5% from $66,343 (2019) to $63,352 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,254 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,089 (-1.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pinehurst | $55,981 |
| Leland | $56,085 |
| Carrboro | $56,926 |
| Indian Trail | $57,149 |
| Boone | $57,648 |
Best Value Cities for Flight Attendants in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for flight attendants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | $66,935 | 93.6 | $71,512 |
| Gastonia | $64,453 | 93.6 | $68,860 |
| Raleigh | $63,725 | 93.6 | $68,082 |
| Charlotte | $65,857 | 97.348 | $67,651 |
| Winston-Salem | $62,595 | 93.6 | $66,875 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,512 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $64,296 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $95,460 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 43 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concord | $66,935 |
| 2 | Charlotte | $65,857 |
| 3 | Gastonia | $64,453 |
| 4 | Raleigh | $63,725 |
| 5 | Winston-Salem | $62,595 |
| 6 | Durham | $62,237 |
| 7 | Greensboro | $62,177 |
| 8 | Fayetteville | $61,460 |
| 9 | Huntersville | $61,044 |
| 10 | Kannapolis | $60,949 |
| 11 | Apex | $60,806 |
| 12 | Cary | $60,711 |
| 13 | Jacksonville | $60,695 |
| 14 | Wilmington | $60,369 |
| 15 | Chapel Hill | $60,293 |
| 16 | High Point | $60,062 |
| 17 | Statesville | $59,895 |
| 18 | Kernersville | $59,845 |
| 19 | Matthews | $59,704 |
| 20 | Cornelius | $59,600 |
| 21 | Sanford | $59,549 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $59,547 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $59,521 |
| 24 | Fuquay-Varina | $59,362 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $59,352 |
| 26 | Thomasville | $59,254 |
| 27 | New Bern | $59,231 |
| 28 | Mint Hill | $59,216 |
| 29 | Burlington | $59,175 |
| 30 | Hickory | $59,080 |
| 31 | Greenville | $58,988 |
| 32 | Asheville | $58,916 |
| 33 | Rocky Mount | $58,662 |
| 34 | Holly Springs | $58,279 |
| 35 | Mooresville | $58,096 |
| 36 | Monroe | $58,073 |
| 37 | Garner | $57,942 |
| 38 | Wilson | $57,899 |
| 39 | Boone | $57,648 |
| 40 | Indian Trail | $57,149 |
| 41 | Carrboro | $56,926 |
| 42 | Leland | $56,085 |
| 43 | Pinehurst | $55,981 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore flight attendant hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced flight attendants.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Flight Attendant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for flight attendants in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina flight attendant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level flight attendant salary in North Carolina?
How many flight attendants are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for flight attendants?
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
Statewide 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. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 flight attendant compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 43 metro areas — larger metro areas with more flight attendantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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