Flight Attendant Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $61,849 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $61,849/year (≈ $29.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $63,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, the projected median salary for flight attendants in 2026 stands at $61,849, which is below the national average of $64,527. Salary estimates for this occupation in the region show a wide range, from $35,873 at the lower end to $95,866 at the top. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments indicate that while flight attendants have a promising earning potential, overall compensation remains competitive yet slightly lower compared to the national figures. This unique market positioning reflects the challenges and opportunities within Wilkes-Barre's aviation sector, including varying employer demand for skilled flight attendants and the essential roles they play across various airline operations.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,873 | $17.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,036 | $24.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,849 | $29.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,166 | $38.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,866 | $46.09 |
Median Salary Position
4.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,993 (2026 est.). At $61,849, the local median is 4.15% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $61,849/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $62,855 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -4.15% less |
Flight Attendants in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $61,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $62,855.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $61,849 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,500 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,289
2025 BLS Actual
$60,941
2026 Current Est.
$61,849
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Wilkes-Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,289 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,599 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,082 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,114 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,532 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,427 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,941 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,849 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,771 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $54,289 (2019) to $60,941 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,482 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $35,873 – $50,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,036 – $61,849 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,849 – $79,166 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,166 – $95,866 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
With just 11 flight attendants currently employed in Wilkes-Barre, the job market for this profession is modest. The cost-of-living index in the area is 97.4, which suggests that flights attendants in Wilkes-Barre may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost locations. Major U.S. carriers like Delta and American Airlines tend to offer the most lucrative compensation packages in general, followed by low-cost carriers such as Southwest and regional airlines including SkyWest. Pay disparities can be substantial, influenced by factors such as seniority, the international long-haul premium, and language proficiency stipends. Prospective flight attendants should consider pursuing international routes or enhancing language skills to qualify for additional pay opportunities. Additionally, understanding the nuances of per-diem compensation can help maximize earnings while on duty away from their base, making strategic choices vital for optimizing flight attendant pay in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
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 $60,941 for flight attendantsin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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