Flight Attendant Salary in Missoula, MT: $64,016 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Missoula, MT earns a median $64,016/year (≈ $30.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Missoula's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $66,545 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Missoula, Montana, flight attendants can expect a median annual salary of $64,016 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $64,527. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $37,129 (P10) and experienced professionals earning up to $99,225 (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected into 2026, and adjusted for regional cost factors, demonstrating how salaries align with the local economy. Given the presence of both major airlines and regional carriers in the area, the pay scale reflects differences in operational structure, with corporate aviation and low-cost carriers typically offering less generous compensation compared to their larger counterparts.
About the Missoula Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,129 | $17.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,794 | $25.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,016 | $30.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,940 | $39.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,225 | $47.70 |
Median Salary Position
0.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missoula
In Missoula, MT, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,096 (2026 est.). At $64,016, the local median is 0.79% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Missoula: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Missoula Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Missoula median: $64,016/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Missoula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $65,456 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -0.79% less |
Flight Attendants in Missoula, MT earn a median of $64,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.79% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 2.20% below the Montana state average of $65,456.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Missoula has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Missoula, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A flight attendant earning $64,016 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,545 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,191
2025 BLS Actual
$63,076
2026 Current Est.
$64,016
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,582 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,151 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,255 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,828 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,742 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,076 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,016 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,970 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missoula metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $56,191 (2019) to $63,076 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,970 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,779 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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) | $37,129 – $52,794 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,794 – $64,016 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,016 – $81,940 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,940 – $99,225 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Missoula
The job market in Missoula consists of 16 employed flight attendants, indicating a comparatively small yet stable workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 96.2, the affordability of living in Missoula can enhance the purchasing power of flight attendants, translating their salaries into a more balanced lifestyle. Among the leading employers, major carriers like Delta and United generally provide the highest compensation, while regional units may yield lower salaries, often ranging from $25,000 to $45,000. Compensation disparities in flight attendant pay in Missoula are influenced by factors such as seniority, additional per-diem earnings for travel expenses, and the potential for extra income through international routes. For those seeking to maximize their flight attendant pay in Missoula, focusing on career progression within major airlines, accumulating seniority, and exploring options for flight routes with higher pay scales can be advantageous.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
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 $63,076 for flight attendantsin the Missoula 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 Missoula 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