Flight Attendant Salary in Charleston, SC: $62,315 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Charleston, SC earns a median $62,315/year (≈ $29.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $68,104 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, the flight attendant salary is projected to reach a median of $62,315 in 2026. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $64,527, highlighting a subtle pay gap within the industry. Local estimates indicate that flight attendants in the area can expect salaries ranging from $36,143 at the lower tenth percentile to as high as $96,588 at the top tenth percentile. Factors unique to Charleston’s aviation landscape can influence these earnings, especially when considering the structural choices of major airlines versus regional or low-cost carriers. The presence of prominent airlines in this coastal city may impact competition, potentially benefiting job seekers looking for a better compensation package.
About the Charleston Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,143 | $17.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,695 | $23.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,315 | $29.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,763 | $38.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,588 | $46.43 |
Median Salary Position
3.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,445 (2026 est.). At $62,315, the local median is 3.43% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Charleston median: $62,315/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,383 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $64,527 | -3.43% less |
Flight Attendants in Charleston, SC earn a median of $62,315 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.43% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 3.20% above the South Carolina state average of $60,383.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston 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.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $62,315 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,104 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,698
2025 BLS Actual
$61,400
2026 Current Est.
$62,315
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,698 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,025 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,527 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,574 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,026 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,932 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,315 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $54,698 (2019) to $61,400 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,545 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $36,143 – $49,695 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,695 – $62,315 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,315 – $79,763 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,763 – $96,588 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Charleston
With only 25 flight attendants currently employed in the Charleston area, the job market remains relatively tight, which can sometimes limit the upward pressure on salaries. The cost of living index here sits at 91.5, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of flight attendant salaries. Among local employers, major carriers tend to offer the most competitive pay, with senior flight attendants at these airlines often earning upwards of $80,000. The pay disparities within the role are influenced by factors such as seniority, line checks, and the international long-haul premium. For those seeking to maximize their flight attendant pay in Charleston, the best approach involves gaining experience with major U.S. airlines, obtaining advanced qualifications, and being flexible in scheduling to capture prime flying opportunities.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Charleston, SC in 2026?
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Can flight attendants make $100K in Charleston?
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Related Pages
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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 $61,400 for flight attendantsin the Charleston 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 Charleston 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