Flight Attendant Salary

Portland vs Hillsboro: Flight Attendant Salary (2026)

Compare flight attendant salaries between Portland, OR and Hillsboro, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Portland, OR
$62,396
$30.00/hr
Hillsboro, OR
$63,816
$30.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, ORHillsboro, OR
Median Salary$62,396$63,816
Hourly Rate$30.00$30.68
Entry Level (P10)$36,516$37,013
25th Percentile$47,030$50,970
75th Percentile$80,045$81,684
Top Earner (P90)$98,232$98,914
Total Employed95022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($62,396) and Hillsboro ($63,816) flight attendant salaries.PortlandHillsboroMedian Salary$62,396$63,816Entry Level (P10)$36,516$37,013Top Earner (P90)$98,232$98,914US Median $64,527

Verdict

Hillsboro, OR offers better overall compensation for flight attendants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Portland.

The salary gap between Portland and Hillsboro is $1,420 (2.28%). Hillsboro's median is -1.10% compared to the US national median of $64,527.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portland spans $61,716,Hillsboro spans $61,901. Hillsboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced flight attendants.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$36,516
P25$47,030
Median$62,396
P75$80,045
P90 (Top)$98,232
Hillsboro
P10 (Entry)$37,013
P25$50,970
Median$63,816
P75$81,684
P90 (Top)$98,914

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hillsboro ($62,199 effective) pays 5.09% more than Portland ($59,187 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $62,396
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $59,187
Hillsboro
Nominal: $63,816
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $62,199

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Larger job market (950 employed)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Hillsboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,816/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,914)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,199)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, flight attendant salaries in Portland grew -3.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -8.7% growth in Hillsboro over the same period.

Portland, OR

+-3.4%

$63,670 (2021) → $61,480 (2025)

Hillsboro, OR

+-8.7%

$68,890 (2024) → $62,879 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays flight attendants more: Portland or Hillsboro?

Hillsboro has a higher median flight attendant salary at $63,816/year, compared to Portland at $62,396/year — a difference of $1,420 (2.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and Hillsboro?

Portland flight attendants earn $30.00/hr while Hillsboro hygienists earn $30.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portland to Hillsboro as a flight attendant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and Hillsboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $59,187, Hillsboro = $62,199), job availability (950 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level flight attendants earn in Portland vs Hillsboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) flight attendants earn $36,516 in Portland and $37,013 in Hillsboro. The Hillsboro area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

EJ

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.

Clinically reviewed by Raj Patel, AFA-CWAData verified by Maria Gomez, AFA-CWA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.49% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Johnson, AFA-CWA, a licensed flight attendant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov