Entry-Level Flight Attendant Salary in Great Falls, MT: $37,866 (2026)
Quick Answer:New flight attendants entering the Great Falls, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,866 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 53-2031, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Great Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 96.2 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $39,362 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,286) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates aiming for a career as flight attendants in Great Falls, Montana, can realistically expect to start at an entry-level flight attendant salary of $37,866. This figure, while modest compared to the city’s median annual salary of $65,286, provides a pathway for growth within the industry. New flight attendants can anticipate advancements as they gain experience, potentially moving towards the first quartile salary of $51,461 within a few years. For those entering the workforce, Great Falls presents a manageable market where the difference between starting pay and the median is significant but not insurmountable, highlighting opportunities for early-career success in the aviation sector.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Great Falls
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
Entry-level flight attendants in Great Falls, MT typically start between $37,866 and $51,461 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $63,328 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,286 — 1.18% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average aviation program cost in Montana of $2,000 represents just 5.28% of the starting flight attendant pay ($37,866/year) in Great Falls. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Initial training is typically provided (paid or unpaid stipend) by the hiring airline, so direct tuition costs are minimal. Some candidates attend optional preparatory flight attendant schools. Cost estimates primarily reflect travel, relocation, and pre-training preparatory expenses.
FA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Great Falls
- 1Research the Great Falls market: entry-level flight attendant pay ranges from $37,866 to $51,461, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the aviation field — employers in MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Great Falls, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Great Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Great Falls's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Flight Attendant Compensation Range
The flight attendant wage spread in Great Falls is $63,328 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,866, experienced hygienists can earn up to $101,194.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,104
2025 BLS Actual
$37,310
2026 Current Est.
$37,866
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,104 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,052 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,606 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,866 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,430 | Projected |
Entry-level flight attendant compensation (10th percentile) in Great Falls, MT grew 20.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,104 in 2019 to $37,310 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $38,430. New graduates entering the Great Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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.
Starting Your aviation Career in Great Falls
Several airlines in Great Falls actively recruit entry-level flight attendants, including regional carriers such as SkyWest, Republic, and Mesa, which often provide structured training and quicker promotion timelines, albeit with lower starting compensation. Conversely, major airlines like Delta and United feature more competitive hiring processes, where new grads face acceptance rates as low as 1-2%. To enhance their starting flight attendant pay in MT, candidates can obtain an FAA-issued Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency post-training, and adding second language skills is essential for those interested in international routes. Building a solid career strategy during the first few years is vital, as pay within major airlines follows a seniority-based progression, where hourly rates only apply during active flight times and not ground duty. This means that as flight attendants accumulate years of service, their salaries can rise significantly, with seasoned professionals earning anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000 annually. Therefore, understanding the salary growth expectations and networking within the industry are critical for new grads starting their careers in Great Falls.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for flight attendants in Great Falls in 2026?
How fast do flight attendant salaries grow in Great Falls?
Is aviation school worth it in Great Falls?
What do new flight attendants make right out of school in Great Falls?
How do I become a flight attendant in Montana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Montana
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new aviation graduates. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Great Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Great Falls 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