I am a Purser at MAXjet based in JFK. Your pay is quite on scale with ours
F/A= US $26000.00 per year
Purser = US$32000.00 per year.
Now, keep in mind for U.S. based cabin crew, our layover is the VERY expensive London, and our per diem (flight pay as you call it) is $2.58 per hour away from home. Most of us manage pretty well, just as I'm sure you will as well.
Please don't think in terms of local flying, as with MAXjet you will be away from home for 3-7 days. If you're doing 3-4 trips per month, believe me the additional flight pay will add up!
It's a pretty good life here at MAXjet, and your U.S. based peer anxiously await your joining ranks with us. We get more time off than you can imagine, time well used for other endeavors, jobs..etc. I think you'll like it here.
So, whomever in this forum has passed the interviews and will be in the upcoming class, Welcome Aboard!!