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Average salary by job family in Bellingham
| Management | $150,870 |
|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $117,410 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $109,130 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $108,170 |
| Legal | $100,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $91,840 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $91,370 |
| Protective Service | $86,330 |
| Construction and Extraction | $81,910 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $75,950 |
| Community and Social Service | $71,380 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $71,170 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $66,240 |
| Production | $58,420 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $55,890 |
| Sales and Related | $54,960 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $53,950 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $53,840 |
| Personal Care and Service | $50,390 |
| Healthcare Support | $49,750 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $47,090 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $46,380 |
Highest-paying jobs in Bellingham
- Chief Executives$274,580
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$191,530
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$186,220
- Dentists, General$177,520
- Physicians, All Other$176,510
- Financial Managers$175,380
- Veterinarians$161,660
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$158,890
- Pharmacists$157,670
- Construction Managers$156,450
Most common jobs in Bellingham and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | 2,830 | $41,610 | $37,840 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 2,830 | $39,360 | $37,030 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 2,350 | $45,020 | $44,080 |
| Cashiers | 2,190 | $39,780 | $37,250 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 1,510 | $46,110 | $43,560 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 1,450 | $59,820 | $56,700 |
| Office Clerks, General | 1,350 | $52,520 | $49,460 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,330 | $43,830 | $41,750 |
| General and Operations Managers | 1,270 | $150,120 | $125,840 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 1,200 | $64,520 | $61,890 |
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Cost of living in Bellingham
Prices in the Bellingham area are 3% above the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 103.3 for 2024. The average local salary of $71,310 therefore buys what $69,009 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $620,829, 7.7 times the median household income of $80,989.
$620,829typical home value
$80,989median household income
103.3BEA price parity
228,432metro population
Take-home pay in Bellingham
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $44,310 | $37,783 | $3,149 |
| Median wage | $57,820 | $48,639 | $4,053 |
| Average wage | $71,310 | $58,997 | $4,916 |
| 75th percentile wage | $83,690 | $67,706 | $5,642 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Salaries for every job in Bellingham
Management22 jobs
- Chief Executives$275K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$192K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$186K
- Financial Managers$175K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$159K
- Construction Managers$156K
- Industrial Production Managers$154K
- Sales Managers$154K
- General and Operations Managers$150K
- Marketing Managers$150K
- Human Resources Managers$150K
- Natural Sciences Managers$144K
- Managers, All Other$143K
- Public Relations Managers$136K
- Facilities Managers$134K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$133K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$133K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$125K
- Administrative Services Managers$119K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$118K
- Social and Community Service Managers$103K
- Food Service Managers$96K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical22 jobs
- Dentists, General$178K
- Physicians, All Other$177K
- Veterinarians$162K
- Pharmacists$158K
- Physician Assistants$156K
- Nurse Practitioners$147K
- Dental Hygienists$127K
- Paramedics$119K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$116K
- Occupational Therapists$105K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$105K
- Physical Therapists$104K
- Surgical Technologists$84K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$80K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$79K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$71K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$65K
- Medical Records Specialists$61K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$58K
- Pharmacy Technicians$57K
- Opticians, Dispensing$52K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$46K
Computer and Mathematical10 jobs
- Software Developers$130K
- Data Scientists$128K
- Information Security Analysts$121K
- Computer Systems Analysts$116K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$114K
- Computer Programmers$107K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$105K
- Database Administrators$103K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$99K
- Computer User Support Specialists$68K
Architecture and Engineering12 jobs
- Engineers, All Other$135K
- Electrical Engineers$123K
- Mechanical Engineers$121K
- Civil Engineers$115K
- Industrial Engineers$103K
- Surveyors$103K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$98K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$80K
- Mechanical Drafters$77K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$76K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$73K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$66K
Legal2 jobs
Business and Financial Operations22 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$144K
- Labor Relations Specialists$137K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$115K
- Project Management Specialists$110K
- Compliance Officers$102K
- Credit Analysts$98K
- Management Analysts$97K
- Accountants and Auditors$93K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$93K
- Cost Estimators$92K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$90K
- Loan Officers$87K
- Human Resources Specialists$84K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$81K
- Logisticians$81K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$80K
- Fundraisers$79K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$74K
- Training and Development Specialists$74K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$68K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$67K
- Tax Preparers$46K
Life, Physical, and Social Science8 jobs
Protective Service12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$140K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$130K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$130K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$102K
- Firefighters$94K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$79K
- Transportation Security Screeners$72K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$67K
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers$61K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$54K
- Security Guards$46K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$38K
Construction and Extraction17 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$112K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$103K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$96K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$95K
- Electricians$94K
- Sheet Metal Workers$93K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$86K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$80K
- Carpenters$79K
- Glaziers$79K
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$73K
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$68K
- Roofers$64K
- Construction Laborers$63K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$62K
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$60K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$59K
Educational Instruction and Library27 jobs
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$114K
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$105K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$103K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$102K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$100K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$99K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$98K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$98K
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$96K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$95K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$94K
- Instructional Coordinators$92K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$91K
- Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$88K
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$87K
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$87K
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$82K
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$81K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$77K
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors$76K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$63K
- Library Technicians$61K
- Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$58K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$53K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$52K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$51K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$43K
Community and Social Service10 jobs
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$88K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$81K
- Healthcare Social Workers$79K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$79K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$69K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$68K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$65K
- Community Health Workers$60K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$59K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$55K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair18 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$99K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$84K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$80K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$79K
- Millwrights$77K
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$77K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$76K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$72K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$71K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$70K
- Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians$69K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$61K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$60K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$59K
- Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers$57K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$56K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$47K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$45K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media7 jobs
Production26 jobs
- Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$100K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$84K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$82K
- Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators$68K
- Machinists$66K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$65K
- Dental Laboratory Technicians$62K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$61K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$60K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$56K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$54K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$54K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$53K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$52K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$52K
- Printing Press Operators$51K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$50K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$49K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$47K
- Food Batchmakers$45K
- Bakers$45K
- Helpers--Production Workers$45K
- Sewing Machine Operators$44K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$41K
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$40K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$40K
Office and Administrative Support31 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$79K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$76K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$72K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$67K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$66K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$65K
- Postal Service Clerks$62K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$61K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$61K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$60K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$60K
- Cargo and Freight Agents$59K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$59K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$58K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$56K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$55K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$54K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$54K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$54K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$53K
- Office Clerks, General$53K
- Tellers$50K
- Customer Service Representatives$50K
- Order Clerks$50K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$50K
- Couriers and Messengers$47K
- Procurement Clerks$46K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$46K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$44K
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$42K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$41K
Sales and Related15 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$122K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$98K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$93K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$85K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$81K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$80K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$79K
- Insurance Sales Agents$77K
- Advertising Sales Agents$72K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$61K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$50K
- Parts Salespersons$50K
- Retail Salespersons$42K
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$40K
- Cashiers$40K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry3 jobs
Transportation and Material Moving14 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$73K
- Bus Drivers, School$67K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$65K
- Light Truck Drivers$55K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$50K
- Driver/Sales Workers$48K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$47K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$46K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$44K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$43K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$42K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$41K
- Parking Attendants$41K
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers$41K
Personal Care and Service13 jobs
- Skincare Specialists$73K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$66K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$64K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$62K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$55K
- Gambling Dealers$54K
- Residential Advisors$52K
- Recreation Workers$46K
- Animal Trainers$44K
- Animal Caretakers$43K
- Childcare Workers$39K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$38K
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$36K
Healthcare Support11 jobs
- Massage Therapists$86K
- Physical Therapist Assistants$67K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$65K
- Medical Assistants$56K
- Dental Assistants$54K
- Phlebotomists$51K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$51K
- Nursing Assistants$50K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$45K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$43K
- Pharmacy Aides$42K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$68K
- Waiters and Waitresses$60K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$60K
- Bartenders$59K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$50K
- Cooks, Restaurant$46K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$42K
- Food Preparation Workers$41K
- Cooks, Short Order$41K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$40K
- Dishwashers$40K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$39K
- Cooks, Fast Food$39K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$38K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance5 jobs
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Salary in Bellingham: questions
What is a good salary in Bellingham?
Half of all workers in the Bellingham metro earn less than $57,820 and the average is $71,310. Earning more than $83,690 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Bellingham to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $72,096, because prices here are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.3).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Bellingham?
Chief Executives ($274,580), Architectural and Engineering Managers ($191,530), Computer and Information Systems Managers ($186,220).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Bellingham, WA (13380), all occupations and 321 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.