Flight Attendant Salary in South Portland, ME: $62,735 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in South Portland, ME earns a median $62,735/year (≈ $30.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in South Portland's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $62,987 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, flight attendant salaries in South Portland, Maine, offer a competitive median annual salary of $62,735, which is slightly below the national average of $64,527. The salary range is broad, spanning from $37,830 at the 10th percentile to as high as $97,240 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the aviation industry. This variation can largely be attributed to differences in airline structure; major carriers tend to provide better compensation compared to regional, low-cost, or corporate aviation positions. The estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for local economic conditions. Given South Portland's proximity to Portland International Jetport (PWM), the market for flight attendants here presents both unique challenges and opportunities for those entering the profession.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,743 | $24.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,735 | $30.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,301 | $38.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,240 | $46.75 |
Median Salary Position
2.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Portland
In South Portland, ME, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,410 (2026 est.). At $62,735, the local median is 2.78% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Portland Flight Attendant Pay Compares
South Portland median: $62,735/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $64,943 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -2.78% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South 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.
South Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $62,735 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,987 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,067
2025 BLS Actual
$61,814
2026 Current Est.
$62,735
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,067 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,928 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,989 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,471 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,795 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,814 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,735 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,670 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Portland metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $55,067 (2019) to $61,814 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,670 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,603 (15.62%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,830 – $51,743 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,743 – $62,735 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,735 – $80,301 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,301 – $97,240 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in South Portland
The local job market for flight attendants in South Portland remains modest, with only four individuals currently employed in this role. With a cost-of-living index at 99.6, earning potential must be carefully considered against regional expenses to gauge actual purchasing power. Major airlines like Delta or American tend to pay more compared to regional operators such as SkyWest, which often cater to feeder routes. Seniority plays a critical role in pay determination, as flight attendants accumulate benefits over time, and advantages increase for those on international long-haul flights. To maximize earnings, aspiring flight attendants should focus on gaining experience and look for positions that offer additional per-diem opportunities, which provide tax-advantaged income during trips. Understanding the job structure and pay scales is vital for those wondering how much do flight attendants make in South Portland, ensuring they navigate their career paths effectively.
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
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 $61,814 for flight attendantsin the South 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 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