Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in South Portland, ME: $30.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in South Portland, ME runs $30.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,735 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against South Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,643 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Portland, Maine, flight attendants are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $30.16 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $31.02. This rate reflects a mix of hourly compensation from commercial airlines, where attendants are compensated primarily for flight hours, which must be adapted to their work schedules that could include three days a week, equating to about 24 hours. Within this framework, per-diem representations for meals and incidental expenses can enhance earnings significantly, particularly for international routes. The overall hourly pay can range from $18.19 for those at the beginning of their career to as high as $46.75 for seasoned veterans. Flight attendants in South Portland frequently operate within diverse environments such as Boeing 737s, A320s, and during hotel layovers, which can provide a broader understanding of industry expectations and pay structures.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.19 | $145.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.88 | $199.00 |
| Median (P50) | $30.16 | $241.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.61 | $308.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.75 | $373.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Portland
Based on $30.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.16/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $62,739 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,195. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,206.51 | $5,228 | $62,739 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.91 | $3,137 | $37,643 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.61 | $2,091 | $25,095 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (South Portland) | $30.16 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Air Traffic Controller (National Avg) | $66.35 |
| Travel Agent (National Avg) | $22.99 |
| Hotel / Cruise Desk Clerk (National Avg) | $16.49 |
Flight Attendants in South Portland, ME earn a median of $62,735 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.78% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 3.40% below the Maine state average of $64,943.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.16/hr = $37,643/year (purchasing power: $37,794).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,739/year (purchasing power: $62,991).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in South Portland grew 12.3% from $26.48/hr (2019) to $29.72/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.61/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem flight attendants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Portland 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.
Working as an Hourly Flight Attendant in South Portland
Analyzing the earning potential here indicates that a flight attendant working part-time, say 24 hours per week, could take home approximately $37,578 annually, assuming a standard work schedule, while full-time counterparts likely see considerably higher earnings. Per-diem flight attendant pay in South Portland typically ranges from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour on international flights, providing additional tax-advantaged compensation. For hourly workers, the employment type also influences pay; major airlines tend to offer higher hourly rates compared to regional or low-cost carriers, but may not provide benefits. Therefore, some might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and retirement benefits. Practical negotiation tips for prospective flight attendants would include understanding the dynamics of pay scales driven by seniority and exploring opportunities across various airlines—each offering distinctive pay structures and benefits. Understanding these variables can empower South Portland flight attendants to make informed decisions about their careers in aviation.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for flight attendants in South Portland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for South Portland 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