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Top 10 Cities for Flight Attendants in 2026
As you embark on your career as a flight attendant, understanding the best locations to establish your career is crucial for long-term success. Regional differences significantly influence salaries and job opportunities in this profession, making it essential to choose wisely.
At Zippia, we’ve analyzed data to determine which cities in the U.S. provide the best prospects for flight attendants. We have identified the locations where flight attendants not only receive competitive salaries relative to the cost of living but also enjoy abundant job openings.
Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), we compiled a list of the top cities for flight attendants based on job availability and compensation. Here are the best cities for flight attendants in 2026:
- Miami, FL
- Houston, TX
- San Francisco, CA
- Cleveland, OH
- San Diego, CA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Minneapolis, MN
- Denver, CO
- Orlando, FL
- Chicago, IL
This analysis reveals that Miami stands out as the top city for flight attendants in terms of job availability and salary prospects.
Conversely, if you’re considering where to avoid as a flight attendant, New York, NY is not recommended due to lower job satisfaction ratings and higher living costs.
Continue reading to learn about our research methodology and gain insights into each of the top ten cities for flight attendants.
Methodology for Determining the Best Cities for Flight Attendants
At Zippia, we engage with job seekers from diverse backgrounds and have identified two primary factors that matter most:
- Job availability
- Compensation
To evaluate the best cities for flight attendants in America, we analyzed job availability and salary data. We utilized criteria sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment Statistics:
- Location quotient: This metric indicates how prevalent flight attendant jobs are in a given city.
- Average annual salary.
- Average entry-level salary.
To ensure consistency, we adjusted salary data in relation to the cost of living in each state.
We gathered data for 16 metropolitan areas and designated the primary area as the “city” for our analysis. For instance, the “Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA NECTA Division” is simplified to Boston.
To rank the cities, we assigned scores from 1 to 16 for each criterion, with 1 being the best. The overall Job Score was then calculated by averaging the rankings, with the city boasting the lowest score recognized as the premier city for flight attendants in America.
Now, let’s explore what makes each city an attractive option for flight attendants.
1. Miami, FL
Total Jobs: 3,980
Average Annual Salary: $54,100
Average Entry Level Salary: $39,980
Location Quotient: 4.63
2. Houston, TX
Total Jobs: 6,660
Average Annual Salary: $51,440
Average Entry Level Salary: $30,980
Location Quotient: 2.89
3. San Francisco, CA
Total Jobs: 4,210
Average Annual Salary: $45,910
Average Entry Level Salary: $32,470
Location Quotient: 5.24
4. Cleveland, OH
Total Jobs: 470
Average Annual Salary: $49,740
Average Entry Level Salary: $29,400
Location Quotient: 0.59
5. San Diego, CA
Total Jobs: 150
Average Annual Salary: $62,300
Average Entry Level Salary: $33,810
Location Quotient: 0.14
6. Phoenix, AZ
Total Jobs: 4,450
Average Annual Salary: $44,220
Average Entry Level Salary: $24,650
Location Quotient: 3.01
7. Minneapolis, MN
Total Jobs: 2,960
Average Annual Salary: $44,250
Average Entry Level Salary: $31,770
Location Quotient: 2.0
8. Denver, CO
Total Jobs: 3,020
Average Annual Salary: $44,540
Average Entry Level Salary: $28,210
Location Quotient: 2.79
9. Orlando, FL
Total Jobs: 1,950
Average Annual Salary: $50,250
Average Entry Level Salary: $25,590
Location Quotient: 2.22
10. Chicago, IL
Total Jobs: 11,980
Average Annual Salary: $43,560
Average Entry Level Salary: $21,290
Location Quotient: 4.26
Summary of the Best Cities for Flight Attendants
If you’re starting your career as a flight attendant, these cities should top your list. They offer competitive pay, ample job opportunities, and potential for career growth.
For those curious about the less favorable locations for flight attendants, here are the bottom three cities:
Detailed List of the Best Cities for Flight Attendants
| Rank | State | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami, FL | $54,100 |
| 2 | Houston, TX | $51,440 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $45,910 |
| 4 | Cleveland, OH | $49,740 |
| 5 | San Diego, CA | $62,300 |
| 6 | Phoenix, AZ | $44,220 |
| 7 | Minneapolis, MN | $44,250 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $44,540 |
| 9 | Orlando, FL | $50,250 |
| 10 | Chicago, IL | $43,560 |
| 11 | Nassau County, NY | $69,370 |
| 12 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,000 |
| 13 | Anchorage, AK | $37,440 |
| 14 | Seattle, WA | $38,960 |
| 15 | Boston, MA | $46,220 |
| 16 | New York, NY | $40,680 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
