Flight Attendant Salary in Bentonville, AR: $54,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Bentonville, AR earns a median $54,643/year (≈ $26.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Bentonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $62,880 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendants in Bentonville, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $54,643, reflecting the structure and norms of the industry where pay is primarily driven by seniority. The salary range for this occupation shows significant variability, with entry-level positions starting around $31,693, while more experienced attendants can earn up to $84,697. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. In comparison to the national median of $64,527, the flight attendant salary in Bentonville is markedly lower, illustrating how regional markets can influence compensation levels. This discrepancy is notable, especially considering the strategic positioning of Bentonville within the broader aviation landscape and its relatively modest cost of living.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,693 | $15.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,725 | $21.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,643 | $26.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,943 | $33.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,697 | $40.72 |
Median Salary Position
15.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bentonville
In Bentonville, AR, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,004 (2026 est.). At $54,643, the local median is 15.32% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bentonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bentonville Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Bentonville median: $54,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bentonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $55,307 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -15.32% less |
Flight Attendants in Bentonville, AR earn a median of $54,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.32% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $55,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bentonville 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.
Bentonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $54,643 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,880 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,964
2025 BLS Actual
$53,841
2026 Current Est.
$54,643
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,964 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,005 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,198 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,897 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,641 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,841 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,457 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bentonville metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $47,964 (2019) to $53,841 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,457 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,493 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bentonville 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) | $31,693 – $45,725 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,725 – $54,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,643 – $69,943 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,943 – $84,697 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Bentonville
The local job market for flight attendants in Bentonville consists of just 12 individuals currently holding such positions, suggesting a niche but stable employment opportunity within this sector. Given the area's cost of living index of 86.9, which is below the national average, the purchasing power of salaries here is more favorable than it might seem at first glance. Major airlines like Southwest and American often dominate the employment landscape, while regional airlines and corporate aviation services contribute as well. Pay disparities in Bentonville can be attributed to various factors, including seniority, the potential for an international long-haul premium, and the availability of per-diem compensation. Strategies for maximizing flight attendant pay in this market may involve seeking opportunities with long-haul flight options, understanding the benefits of union representation (such as AFA-CWA or TWU), and pursuing roles that offer more favorable pay scales associated with years of service and specialized qualifications.
More salary data for Bentonville, 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 $53,841 for flight attendantsin the Bentonville 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 Bentonville 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