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What is the average salary in Bellingham, WA?

The average salary in Bellingham, WA is $64,707 per year.

Job seekers in Bellingham, WA, can expect a range of salaries across different fields. Bellingham offers competitive wages with an average yearly salary of about $64,707. The city's job market spans across various sectors, each with its own salary range.

Industries with notable salaries include professional and business services, which pay around $103,277 per year, and healthcare and social assistance, offering salaries near $63,703 annually. Other sectors such as education, retail trade, and manufacturing also present opportunities for various salary levels. This diversity allows job seekers to find positions that match their skills and experience.

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What are the best paying jobs in Bellingham, WA?

Job seekers in Bellingham, WA, can look forward to high salaries in several fields. Healthcare roles lead the way, with Nurse Practitioners earning the highest average at $142,463. Dental Hygienists, Registered Nurses, and Occupational Therapists also provide strong compensation. Beyond healthcare, technical and sales positions offer competitive pay. Technical Project Leads and Outside Sales Representatives can earn over $100,000 annually. Human Resources Managers, Electricians, and Behavior Analysts round out the list with solid earnings. The Bellingham area values skilled professionals, making these careers attractive to job seekers. Respiratory Therapists and Registered Nurses ensure good pay within the healthcare sector. Those with technical expertise or sales skills will find Bellingham rewarding. This diverse range of high-paying jobs reflects Bellingham's strong economy and demand for skilled workers. Job seekers in these fields will find good opportunities and salaries in Bellingham, WA.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Bellingham, WA, highlighting Nurse Practitioner with the highest at $142,463 and Human Resources Manager with the lowest at $79,294.
  1. Nurse Practitioner
    Average Salary: $142,463
    They provide primary and specialty care. They work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. Leading healthcare facilities include St. Joseph Hospital and PeaceHealth.
    Find Nurse Practitioner jobs in Bellingham, WA


  2. Dental Hygienist
    Average Salary: $136,124
    They clean teeth and educate patients on oral care. They work in dental offices. Key employers are Bellingham Dental Care and Northwest Family Dental.
    Find Dental Hygienist jobs in Bellingham, WA


  3. Registered Nurse
    Average Salary: $108,531
    They care for patients and assist doctors. They work in hospitals and clinics. Top employers include PeaceHealth and St. Joseph Hospital.
    Find Registered Nurse jobs in Bellingham, WA


  4. Occupational Therapist
    Average Salary: $105,530
    They help patients recover and improve skills. They work in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Key employers are Bellingham Rehabilitation Hospital and PeaceHealth.
    Find Occupational Therapist jobs in Bellingham, WA


  5. Technical Project Lead
    Average Salary: $102,620
    They oversee tech projects and guide teams. They work in tech companies. Notable employers are Itron and Bell Media.
    Find Technical Project Lead jobs in Bellingham, WA


  6. Respiratory Therapist
    Average Salary: $86,182
    They treat patients with breathing issues. They work in hospitals. Major employers are PeaceHealth and St. Joseph Hospital.
    Find Respiratory Therapist jobs in Bellingham, WA


  7. Outside Sales Representative
    Average Salary: $86,105
    They sell products to businesses. They often work for tech companies. Key employers include Microsoft and Itron.
    Find Outside Sales Representative jobs in Bellingham, WA


  8. Behavior Analyst
    Average Salary: $84,073
    They study and improve behavior. They work in schools and clinics. Notable employers are Autism Learning Partners and Northwest Family Dental.
    Find Behavior Analyst jobs in Bellingham, WA


  9. Electrician
    Average Salary: $80,129
    They install and maintain electrical systems. They work for contractors. Key employers include Bellingham Electric and Northwest Electrical.
    Find Electrician jobs in Bellingham, WA


  10. Human Resources Manager
    Average Salary: $79,294
    They manage HR functions in a company. They work with staff and ensure compliance. Key employers are Itron and PeaceHealth.
    Find Human Resources Manager jobs in Bellingham, WA

What are the best paying jobs in Bellingham, WA without a degree?

In Bellingham, Washington, job seekers have access to a variety of high-paying roles that do not require a college degree. Floating Operators, for instance, can earn around $52,703 annually by overseeing activities on water vessels. Another option is the role of a Meat Cutter, which offers an average salary of approximately $47,732 per year. Additionally, those interested in outdoor work can consider becoming a Landscaper or Yard Worker, both of which come with average salaries around $44,670 and $44,405, respectively. These roles provide a combination of physical activity and the opportunity to earn a good income without needing a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Bellingham, WA without a degree, highlighting Floating Operator with the highest at $52,703 and Landscaper with the lowest at $44,670.
  1. Floating Operator
    Average Salary: $52,703
    A floating operator works on construction sites, using heavy machinery. They are needed to maintain the city’s infrastructure. Companies hiring for this role include construction firms like Northwest Tree and others in the construction industry.
    Find Floating Operator jobs in Bellingham, WA


  2. Meat Cutter
    Average Salary: $47,732
    A meat cutter carves and packages meat in grocery stores. This role is crucial in the food industry, ensuring customers have access to fresh products. Companies hiring for this position include local grocery stores and retail outlets.
    Find Meat Cutter jobs in Bellingham, WA


  3. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $44,670
    Landscaping involves maintaining and designing outdoor spaces. Workers in this field create beautiful gardens and well-kept grounds. They are hired by landscaping companies and homeowners who want to enhance their outdoor areas.
    Find Landscaper jobs in Bellingham, WA

Which companies offer the top salaries in Bellingham, WA?

Job seekers in Bellingham, WA, can find some of the best paying opportunities at major healthcare and county institutions. PeaceHealth leads with an impressive average salary of $112,811, followed by Optum with $105,393. These companies offer competitive compensation packages for their employees. Other top-paying employers include Favorite Healthcare Staffing, Capstone Physical Therapy, and Unity Care NW, all providing salaries above $70,000. City of Bellingham and Whatcom County also present attractive wage offers. These organizations not only provide stable jobs but also demonstrate a commitment to fair compensation for their staff.
Graph displaying company salaries in Bellingham, WA, highlighting PeaceHealth with the highest at $112,811 and Western Washington University with the lowest at $72,577.
  1. PeaceHealth
    Average Salary: $112,811
    PeaceHealth offers healthcare services with a focus on quality and safety. Employees benefit from a supportive work environment and the opportunity to make a real difference in patient care.


  2. Optum
    Average Salary: $105,393
    Optum is a leading information and technology-enabled health services business. It offers a wide range of career opportunities in healthcare, providing employees with growth potential and a dynamic work environment.


  3. Favorite Healthcare Staffing
    Average Salary: $98,536
    Favorite Healthcare Staffing specializes in connecting healthcare professionals with temporary positions. The company values flexibility and offers competitive pay to attract top talent.


  4. Capstone Physical Therapy
    Average Salary: $81,676
    Capstone Physical Therapy provides rehabilitation services and focuses on patient recovery. Employees work in a collaborative environment dedicated to improving patient outcomes.


  5. Unity Care NW
    Average Salary: $79,120
    Unity Care NW offers comprehensive healthcare services, emphasizing community health and wellness. The company supports its staff with professional development and a caring atmosphere.


  6. City of Bellingham
    Average Salary: $75,681
    The City of Bellingham provides various municipal services and supports the community. Employees enjoy a stable work environment and opportunities for professional growth.


  7. Whatcom County
    Average Salary: $74,659
    Whatcom County offers diverse career opportunities in public service. It values teamwork and provides a supportive environment for its employees.


  8. Compass Health
    Average Salary: $74,294
    Compass Health focuses on mental health and substance use disorder services. The company offers a caring environment and supports its staff with ongoing training and development.


  9. Proliance Surgeons
    Average Salary: $73,037
    Proliance Surgeons specializes in surgical services. The company provides a dynamic work environment and supports its staff with professional growth opportunities.


  10. Western Washington University
    Average Salary: $72,577
    Western Washington University offers educational services and supports academic excellence. The university provides a supportive work environment and opportunities for professional development.

How does the cost of living in Bellingham, WA compare to the national average?

Bellingham, WA, shows a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs in Bellingham are 23% above the average, reflecting a significant expense for prospective residents. Additionally, groceries, utilities, and miscellaneous costs hover around or slightly above the national norm, but transportation and healthcare costs are relatively lower at 5% and 2%, respectively.
Cost of living comparison graph for Bellingham, WA vs. Nationwide: housing 23% higher, groceries 5% higher, utilities 2% lower, transportation 5% lower, healthcare 2% higher, miscellaneous 7% higher.

The cost of living index in Bellingham, Washington, shows that housing costs are notably higher than the nationwide average. Specifically, the housing index is at 123, which is 23% above the national benchmark of 100. This means that job seekers considering Bellingham might find housing prices to be a significant factor in their overall living expenses. Additionally, groceries also tend to be more expensive, with an index of 105, representing a 5% increase compared to the national average.


Bellingham's utilities and healthcare costs are slightly below the national average, which could offer some relief to those relocating. The utility index stands at 98, which is 2% lower, and the healthcare index is at 102, just 2% higher. This slight decrease in utility costs might help offset some of the higher housing expenses, offering a balanced view of living costs in the area. Furthermore, transportation costs are also relatively lower, with an index of 95, meaning they are 5% below the national average. Despite the elevated costs in some areas, Bellingham provides a mix of affordability and higher expenses, making it essential for job seekers to weigh all factors before making a move.

There are 693 job openings in Bellingham, WA, today!

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City
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Bellingham, WA
693 Job Openings