Flight Attendant Salary in Portland, ME: $65,279 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Portland, ME earns a median $65,279/year (≈ $31.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Portland's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $65,541 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as a flight attendant in Portland, ME, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $65,279, slightly above the national average of $64,527. This pay reflects a seniority-based scale, meaning that as employees gain experience, their compensation can significantly increase. Salaries in this role can range from $37,862 at the entry-level (P10) to as much as $101,184 for established professionals (P90). These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, providing a solid understanding of what flight attendants can expect within Portland's job market as they advance through their careers.
About the Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,862 | $18.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,062 | $25.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,279 | $31.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,558 | $40.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,184 | $48.64 |
Median Salary Position
1.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,322 (2026 est.). At $65,279, the local median is 1.17% above the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Portland median: $65,279/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $64,955 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $64,527 | +1.17% more |
Flight Attendants in Portland, ME earn a median of $65,279 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.17% higher than the national median of $64,527 and 0.50% above the Maine state average of $64,955.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $65,279 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,541 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,300
2025 BLS Actual
$64,321
2026 Current Est.
$65,279
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,738 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,358 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,503 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,167 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,057 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,321 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,279 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,252 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $57,300 (2019) to $64,321 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,252 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,952 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,862 – $52,062 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,062 – $65,279 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,279 – $83,558 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,558 – $101,184 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Portland
The local job climate for flight attendants in Portland remains stable, with only 16 individuals currently employed in this capacity. The cost of living index stands at 99.6, which suggests that while salaries may be competitive, take-home pay can be minimally affected by day-to-day expenses. Among major airlines, compensation can vary significantly, with larger carriers typically offering more lucrative positions compared to regional or low-cost carriers. Factors such as seniority and the nature of assignments play a key role in determining salaries, with international routes often providing an additional premium of 15-30% over domestic flights. To maximize flight attendant pay in Portland, professionals should focus on accruing seniority, potentially seek positions that involve international travel, and consider specialized training that may lead to higher pay brackets or bonuses for language proficiency and additional responsibilities.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Portland, ME in 2026?
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Can flight attendants make $100K in Portland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted flight attendant salary in Portland?
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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 $64,321 for flight attendantsin the Portland 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 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