Flight Attendant Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $64,437 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time flight attendant in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $64,437/year (≈ $30.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 53-2031). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $62,439 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the flight attendant salary in Portsmouth, VA, is projected to reach a median of $64,437, which is slightly below the national figure of $64,527. This reflects the city's unique employment landscape, where flight attendants earn between $37,374 and $99,877, depending on their level of experience and specific airline employer. Local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price disparities, indicate the financial reality for flight attendants in Portsmouth, which includes factors such as domestic versus international routes and potential language proficiency stipends that can enhance earnings. The competitive nature of major US carriers compared to lower-cost airlines also plays a vital role in shaping the compensation structure within this market.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,374 | $17.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,337 | $25.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,437 | $30.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,479 | $39.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,877 | $48.01 |
Median Salary Position
0.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the flight attendant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,503 (2026 est.). At $64,437, the local median is 0.14% below the national median of $64,527.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Flight Attendant Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $64,437/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $66,567 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $64,527 | -0.14% less |
Flight Attendants in Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $64,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.14% lower than the national median of $64,527 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $66,567.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,437 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,439 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$56,561
2025 BLS Actual
$63,491
2026 Current Est.
$64,437
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Flight Attendants in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.49% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,561 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,967 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,554 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,671 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,274 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,904 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,437 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,397 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median flight attendant salary grew 12.3% from $56,561 (2019) to $63,491 (2025). At a 1.49% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,397 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,836 (15.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $37,374 – $52,337 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,337 – $64,437 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,437 – $82,479 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,479 – $99,877 |
FA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual flight attendant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Flight Attendant Job Market in Portsmouth
Currently, there are 17 flight attendants employed in Portsmouth, emphasizing a tight-knit job market. The cost-of-living index stands at 103.2, slightly above the national average, which may impact the take-home purchasing power of these professionals. While major airlines typically offer the highest wages, regional and low-cost carriers may provide differing pay scales influenced by seniority, trip assignments, and type of routes. Higher pay often comes from operating long-haul international flights, which can command a premium, while per-diem compensation for work away from the base can add further to earnings. For those looking to maximize their flight attendant pay in Portsmouth, VA, focusing on securing seniority through continued employment and pursuing long-haul assignments or positions with major airlines are prudent strategies.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do flight attendants make in Portsmouth, VA in 2026?
Is Portsmouth, VA a good place to work as a flight attendant?
Can flight attendants make $100K in Portsmouth?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted flight attendant salary in Portsmouth?
How much does a flight attendant make per hour in Portsmouth?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $63,491 for flight attendantsin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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