California Median
$82,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+29% vs US median
US median $63,580
State Rank
#3 of 19
15,840 employed here
How much does a Flight Attendant make in California?
Flight Attendants in California take home a median of $82,170 annually — roughly $39.50 an hour — which runs 29% above the national median of $63,580.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $48,130 while the top 10% make $129,290 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,230 and $100,550 a year.
Flight Attendant salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,130 | $23.14 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,230 | $28.48 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $82,170 | $39.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $100,550 | $48.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,290 | $62.16 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 19 states and territories for Flight Attendant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Flight Attendant salary in other states
New York $126,650Utah $82,730Georgia $78,320Connecticut $78,180Washington $74,090Michigan $62,490Ohio $62,440Idaho $62,200Illinois $62,120Arizona $61,780Massachusetts $61,510Oregon $61,480Minnesota $61,230Colorado $59,500Texas $58,220Nevada $51,800Florida $47,320Pennsylvania $39,520
Working as a Flight Attendant in California
Nationally, about 132,000 people work as Flight Attendants in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($82,170) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Flight Attendant make in California?
The median Flight Attendant salary in California is $82,170 per year, or about $39.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,130 at the entry level to $129,290 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Flight Attendants about 29% more than the national median of $63,580. California ranks 3rd out of 19 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Flight Attendants?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $82,170 a year. About 15,840 Flight Attendants are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Flight Attendant salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.