Flight Attendant Salary in South Dakota: $56,696 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median flight attendant pay sits at $56,696/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 53-2031. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,095 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($57,660), Sioux Falls ($57,637), Watertown ($54,808).
When considering flight attendant salaries in South Dakota for 2026, the average median salary stands at $56,695, which is approximately 12.1% lower than the national median of $64,527. Among South Dakota's cities, Rapid City offers the highest average salary at $58,519, while Huron provides the lowest at $53,349. This salary disparity of $5,170 can be attributed to differences in local demand for flight services, airport operations, and the size of larger cities allowing for more frequent flights. In South Dakota, specific factors such as state licensing requirements and local job demand influence the landscape for flight attendants. With only 97 flight attendants projected to be employed in the state, the market is relatively small yet shows a positive outlook with a growth rate of 1.49% annually. The demand for regional travel and the presence of several key metro areas—particularly in Rapid City and Sioux Falls—contributes to employment opportunities. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those looking to pursue a career as a flight attendant in South Dakota, given the state’s unique economic conditions and salary figures.
South Dakota Flight Attendant Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $31,523 (lowest entry-level) to $90,705 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota flight attendants earn 12.14% less than the national median ($-7,831/year difference).
South Dakota Flight Attendant Salary Distribution (2026)
Flight Attendant salaries in South Dakota range from $33,124 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,878 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $56,696. The South Dakota median is $7,831 below the US national median of $64,527. The average hourly rate is $27.26/hr. Approximately 97 flight attendants are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,766
2025 BLS Actual
$55,863
2026 Current Est.
$56,696
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,766 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,883 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,159 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,021 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,072 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,294 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,863 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,696 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,540 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $49,766 (2019) to $55,863 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,540 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,774 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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 South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $53,349 |
| Vermillion | $53,432 |
| Brookings | $53,446 |
| Pierre | $54,350 |
| Aberdeen | $54,976 |
Best Value Cities for Flight Attendants in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for flight attendants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $58,519 | 92.8 | $63,059 |
| Sioux Falls | $58,496 | 92.8 | $63,034 |
| Watertown | $55,625 | 92.8 | $59,941 |
| Yankton | $55,607 | 92.8 | $59,921 |
| Spearfish | $55,468 | 92.8 | $59,772 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $33,124 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $56,696 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,878 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $58,519 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $58,496 |
| 3 | Watertown | $55,625 |
| 4 | Yankton | $55,607 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $55,468 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $55,067 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $54,976 |
| 8 | Pierre | $54,350 |
| 9 | Brookings | $53,446 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $53,432 |
| 11 | Huron | $53,349 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore flight attendant hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced flight attendants.
Explore More Flight Attendant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for flight attendants in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota flight attendant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level flight attendant salary in South Dakota?
How many flight attendants are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota 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 South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 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, 2-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