Flight Attendant Salary in Benton, AR: $54,188 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Benton, AR earns a median $54,188/year (≈ $26.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $62,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the flight attendant salary in Benton, AR, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $54,188, which reflects a notable gap of over 16% compared to the national median of $64,527. The local salary range spans from $31,428 at the 10th percentile to $83,991 at the 90th percentile, indicating potential for significant earnings based on factors such as experience and employer type. Compensation differs widely among different types of carriers, with major airlines often offering higher salaries than regional or low-cost carriers. This data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates adjusted for local cost of living, reveals that while hurdles remain, opportunities for well-compensated positions do exist in Benton’s evolving aviation market.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,428 | $15.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,536 | $20.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,188 | $26.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,360 | $33.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,991 | $40.38 |
Median Salary Position
16.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,563 (2026 est.). At $54,188, the local median is 16.02% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Benton Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Benton median: $54,188/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $55,293 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -16.02% less |
Flight Attendants in Benton, AR earn a median of $54,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.02% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $55,293.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $54,188 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,357 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,564
2025 BLS Actual
$53,392
2026 Current Est.
$54,188
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,564 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,588 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,763 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,543 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,414 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,269 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,392 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,188 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,995 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $47,564 (2019) to $53,392 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,995 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,431 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,428 – $43,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,536 – $54,188 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,188 – $69,360 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,360 – $83,991 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Benton
Presently, the job market for flight attendants in Benton is relatively modest, with only five positions reported in the area. The cost-of-living index sits at 86.9, suggesting a slightly lower purchasing power that can make salaries feel tighter when compared to national averages. Major U.S. carriers such as Delta and American typically lead in compensation, while low-cost carriers may offer less attractive pay structures. The disparity in earnings often results from variations in seniority, employer type, and the potential for international flying. Flight attendants aiming to maximize their pay in Benton should focus on building experience to advance within the seniority-based pay scale, enhancing language skills, and seeking opportunities for international routes where premiums apply. Additionally, understanding per-diem options can be beneficial; this often serves as tax-advantaged income that supplements base pay.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $53,392 for flight attendantsin the Benton metropolitan area. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton 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