Flight Attendant Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $31.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a flight attendant working in Portland, ME runs $31.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,279 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,163 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portland, ME, the flight attendant hourly pay is projected to reach $31.38 in 2026, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $31.02. This rate enables flight attendants to secure a reasonable living, especially for those working part-time or on per-diem assignments. With typical schedules covering three days a week, part-time flight attendants can expect to earn a significant income working in various settings, including commercial aircraft cabins like Boeing 737s and A320s, as well as hotel layovers and crew briefing rooms. The hourly pay for this profession ranges from $18.21 for entry-level positions to $48.64 for experienced flight attendants commanding higher salaries. These figures, extrapolated from annual salary data, reflect the competitive nature of the industry in Portland, enticing professionals to explore opportunities within major airlines, low-cost carriers, and regional operations.
About the Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Flight Attendant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.21 | $145.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.03 | $200.22 |
| Median (P50) | $31.38 | $251.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.17 | $321.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.64 | $389.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $31.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.38/hr, a flight attendant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $65,272 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,657. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,255.23 | $5,439 | $65,272 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $753.14 | $3,264 | $39,163 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $502.09 | $2,176 | $26,109 |
Compare FA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Flight Attendant (Portland) | $31.38 |
| Airline Pilot / Copilot (National Avg) | $107.68 |
| Air Traffic Controller (National Avg) | $66.35 |
| Travel Agent (National Avg) | $22.99 |
| Hotel / Cruise Desk Clerk (National Avg) | $16.49 |
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.
Flight Attendant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.38/hr = $39,163/year (purchasing power: $39,320).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,272/year (purchasing power: $65,534).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for flight attendants in Portland grew 12.3% from $27.54/hr (2019) to $30.92/hr (2025). At a 1.49% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.85/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem flight attendants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Flight Attendant in Portland
For part-time flight attendants in Portland, the annual take-home pay differs greatly from that of full-time colleagues. A flight attendant working 24 hours per week could earn significantly less compared to those securing full-time hours, yet they still benefit from lucrative per-diem compensations. Per diem flight attendant pay in Portland adds an extra layer of income, with rates ranging from $1.80 to $3.00 per hour, which is particularly advantageous during international flights, where effective hourly earnings can reach $50 to $80, including these allowances. Despite this, some junior flight attendants may face unpaid hours while waiting for assignments, particularly in reserve roles, further complicating their earnings. Different employers—ranging from major carriers like Delta and Southwest to regional airlines or private aviation companies—offer varying pay structures, and many attendants must weigh hourly pay rates against benefits like health insurance. Negotiating effectively in the context of Oregon's workforce could bring about better financial outcomes, especially for those evaluating their choices within the diverse aviation sectors in Portland.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 1.49% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for flight attendants in Portland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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