Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Bellingham, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Bellingham Stands

For a Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Bellingham, the numbers tell a specific story: it’s a stable, mid-level market that pays slightly above the national average, but with a cost of living that requires careful budgeting. The median salary for a CNA in the Bellingham metro area is $36,199/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $17.4/hour. This places you slightly above the national average of $35,760/year—a modest but meaningful difference that can matter in a tight monthly budget.

The job market, while not gigantic, is consistent. There are approximately 189 active jobs for CNAs in the metro, and the 10-year job growth is projected at 4%. This isn't explosive growth, but it reflects the steady demand in a city with an aging population and a strong healthcare sector anchored by PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.

To understand where you fit in, let's break down salaries by experience level. These are typical ranges for the Bellingham area based on local job postings and industry data.

Experience Level	Typical Annual Salary (Bellingham)	Key Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$33,000 - $37,000	Often starts at or near the median. Willingness to work swing/night shifts can push you to the higher end.
Mid-Level (2-5 years)	$38,000 - $42,000	Specialized experience (e.g., dementia care, rehab) or certifications (CPR, BLS) can command a premium.
Senior-Level (5-10 years)	$42,000 - $47,000	Often includes lead CNA roles, training responsibilities, or positions in specialized units.
Expert/Lead (10+ years)	$47,000+	Typically involves supervisory duties, complex case management, or roles in home health agency administration.

Insider Tip: The biggest salary jump often comes not from years alone, but from shifting settings. A CNA at a long-term care facility might start at $17.50/hour, while the same role at a specialized surgical center or a home health agency could start at $18.50-$19/hour. The hospital, PeaceHealth St. Joseph, tends to be at the higher end of the scale for full-time benefited positions.

How Bellingham Compares to Other WA Cities:

• Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (Metro): Median salary is significantly higher (often cited as $42,000+), but the cost of living is dramatically steeper. The net take-home may not be much better.
• Spokane: Median salary is closer to $34,000, but housing costs are also lower. Bellingham offers a higher wage with a more scenic, coastal lifestyle.
• Olympia: Similar to Bellingham in pay and cost of living, but with a different market focused on state government and its affiliated healthcare.

Bellingham is a "sweet spot" for CNA pay in Western Washington outside the expensive Seattle core. It pays a living wage for the profession, but you must be strategic.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get brutally practical with the numbers. Using the median salary of $36,199/year, here’s a monthly budget breakdown for a single CNA in Bellingham. (Note: This is a pre-tax estimate; actual take-home will be lower after federal/state taxes, Social Security, and Medicare.)

• Gross Monthly Income: $36,199 / 12 = $3,017
• Estimated Take-Home (after ~20% deductions): ~$2,414

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

• Rent (1BR Apartment): $1,306 (Citywide Average)
• Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet): $200
• Groceries: $300
• Transportation (Car Payment, Gas, Insurance): $350
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered by employer): $150
• Miscellaneous (Phone, Personal Care, Discretionary): $200
• Total Expenses: $2,506

Can they afford to buy a home? With this budget, a traditional mortgage is a significant challenge. The median home price in Bellingham hovers around $650,000. A 20% down payment ($130,000) is out of reach for most. A 5% down payment on a $500,000 home (a more modest starter home) would still require a $25,000 down payment and a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes, insurance, PMI) of $2,800-$3,200, which is far above the take-home of $2,414.

Insider Tip: The only realistic path to homeownership for a single CNA is through a dual-income household or aggressive savings over many years. Many local CNAs rent in more affordable neighborhoods or have roommates to make the numbers work. The 104.1 Cost of Living Index (where the US average is 100) confirms that Bellingham is about 4% more expensive than the national average, primarily driven by housing.

Where the Jobs Are: Bellingham's Major Employers

Bellingham’s healthcare ecosystem is robust, with a mix of large medical centers, long-term care facilities, and community-focused organizations. Here are the primary employers for CNAs:

1. PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center: The region's largest hospital. Hiring trends show a consistent need for CNAs in Med-Surg, Orthopedics, and the Emergency Department. They offer the best benefits package (health, retirement, tuition assistance) and often start at the higher end of the pay scale. Insider Tip: They have a robust internal float pool; initial hires often start here for broad experience.
2. Whatcom County Nursing & Rehabilitation: A major skilled nursing facility in Bellingham. Demand is very high due to the aging population. They often hire quickly and provide on-the-job training. Pay is solid, but shifts can be physically demanding.
3. Bellingham At-Home Care (and similar agencies): Home health agencies are a growing sector. They offer more autonomy and a different pace than hospital work. Hiring is frequent, and they often need CNAs willing to travel to neighboring towns like Ferndale and Lynden.
4. Washington State Department of Corrections (Cedar Creek Corrections Center): Located just outside Bellingham in Sedro-Woolley, this facility is a significant employer. The work is unique and comes with a pay premium and state benefits. It’s not for everyone, but it’s a stable, well-compensated option.
5. Point Roberts Special Care Center: A smaller, specialized facility in the unique Point Roberts enclave. It offers a tight-knit community feel. Hiring is less frequent but can be an excellent fit for those seeking a less institutional environment.
6. Local Assisted Living Facilities (e.g., Shuksan Healthcare Center, The Whatcom Memory Care): There are dozens of assisted living communities in Whatcom County. They are always looking for CNAs, especially for evening and weekend shifts. This is a great entry point for new graduates.
7. Bellingham Technical College (Clinical Sites): While not a direct employer, BTC is the feeder school for local CNAs. Their career services have direct pipelines to all the major employers listed above. A graduate from here is a known quantity to local hiring managers.

Hiring Trend: There is a steady, never-ending need. The turnover at some facilities is high due to the physical nature of the work, creating constant openings. The most stable jobs are at the hospital and state facilities. The most flexible (but often lower-paid) are with home health agencies.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington state has a clear, regulated pathway to certification. You cannot work as a CNA without being on the state registry.

Requirements:

1. Complete a State-Approved Training Program: You must complete a minimum of 85 hours of training (including 35 hours of clinical practice). In Bellingham, the premier school is Bellingham Technical College (BTC). Their full-time program is about 10 weeks. Other options include community colleges and some private training centers.
2. Pass the Competency Exam: After training, you must pass both a written/oral exam and a skills evaluation. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE.
3. Apply for State Certification: Once you pass the exam, you apply to the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to be added to the Nurse Aide Registry.

Costs & Timeline:

• Training Program Tuition: At BTC, the CNA program costs approximately $1,200 - $1,500 (financial aid and WorkSource WA grants are often available).
• Exam Fees: Roughly $150 for the written and skills exam.
• Application Fee: $45 to the DOH.
• Total Estimated Cost: $1,400 - $1,700.
• Timeline: From start to certified, expect 3-4 months (including class time, clinicals, and exam scheduling).

Insider Tip: Many local employers, including PeaceHealth and Whatcom County Nursing, will offer tuition reimbursement or sign-on bonuses that can cover the cost of your training if you commit to working for them for a set period (e.g., 1-2 years). Ask about this during interviews.

Best Neighborhoods for Nursing Assistant (CNA)s

Considering your commute and budget is key. Bellingham is a small city, but neighborhoods vary in feel and cost.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Why It's Good for CNAs
Fairhaven	Historic, walkable, maritime. 10-15 min drive to hospital.	$1,400 - $1,600	Close to St. Joseph for easy shifts. Many older residents mean home health opportunities. Walkable to shops/dining.
Sudden Valley	Suburban, wooded, lake-centric. 15-20 min drive to hospital.	$1,200 - $1,400	More affordable housing (townhomes/duplexes). Quieter, good for families. A bit of a drive but manageable.
Lettered Streets	Central, established, near downtown. 5-10 min commute.	$1,300 - $1,500	Central location. Easy access to all major employers. Older homes, some with character. Good transit options.
Cordata	Modern, planned community, near Western Washington University. 10-15 min commute.	$1,300 - $1,500	Newer apartments, great amenities. Close to the hospital and Whatcom Community College. Popular with younger professionals.
Meridian (North)	Commercial corridor, more affordable. 15-20 min commute.	$1,100 - $1,300	Lowest cost of living. Direct access to I-5 for commutes to Ferndale (for home health) or south to Bellingham.

Insider Tip: If you work at the hospital, living in Fairhaven or Lettered Streets minimizes your commute. If you work at a facility in the north part of the county (like Ferndale), living in the Meridian corridor or Cordata saves you from battling downtown traffic.

The Long Game: Career Growth

While being a CNA is a vital and rewarding role, many use it as a springboard. The growth in Bellingham is both lateral and vertical.

Specialty Premiums:

• Certified Medication Aide (CMA): After gaining experience, you can take an additional course to administer medications in long-term care. This adds $1.00-$2.00/hour to your pay.
• Hospice & Palliative Care: Specialized training in end-of-life care can make you highly valuable to home health and hospice agencies, often with a pay bump.
• Mental Health/Behavioral Health: With the local focus on mental health services, CNAs with crisis intervention training are in demand.

Advancement Paths:

1. Bridge to Nursing (LPN/RN): This is the most common path. Bellingham has excellent programs at BTC and Whatcom Community College. Many local hospitals offer tuition assistance, and you can often work part-time while in school.
2. Healthcare Administration: Some move into roles as unit clerks, patient care coordinators, or even into facility management with additional degrees.
3. Specialized Roles: CNA experience is a direct ticket into roles like surgical tech (at the hospital) or physical therapy aide.

10-Year Outlook: With the 4% job growth, the market will remain stable. However, the real growth is in specialization. The generalist CNA role will always be needed, but those with additional certifications (CMA, hospice, etc.) will have more bargaining power and job security. The aging population in Whatcom County ensures demand will not disappear.

The Verdict: Is Bellingham Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-Median Pay for the profession in a stunning location.	High Housing Costs relative to salary; homeownership is a distant dream for singles.
Stable Job Market with 189 openings and steady demand.	Limited Social Scene for young, single professionals compared to Seattle.
Quality of Life – access to mountains, water, and outdoor activities is unbeatable.	Seasonal Weather – long, gray, wet winters can be challenging.
Manageable Commute – you can live affordably and still be close to work.	Traffic & Parking can be frustrating downtown and near the hospital.
Tight-Knit Healthcare Community – easy to network and find opportunities.	4% Growth is modest; career advancement often requires more education.

Final Recommendation:
Bellingham is an excellent choice for a CNA who values quality of life over maximal salary and is willing to be budget-conscious. It’s ideal for those who love the outdoors, want a stable career in a supportive community, and are open to either long-term renting or pursuing further education to increase earning power. It’s less suitable for someone whose primary goal is rapid wealth accumulation or owning a home in the near term. If you can make the numbers work, the lifestyle payoff is tremendous.

FAQs

1. Can I get a CNA job in Bellingham without a car?
It's extremely difficult. While the bus system (Whatcom Transportation Authority) is decent, many shifts start early or end late when service is limited, and clinical sites or home health visits can be spread across the county. A reliable car is a practical necessity for most CNA jobs here.

2. Do Bellingham employers really help with tuition for nursing school?
Yes, many do. PeaceHealth St. Joseph has a well-known tuition reimbursement program for employees. Whatcom County Nursing and several large home health agencies also offer some form of educational assistance. It's a key question to ask in any interview.

3. What's the best way to find a CNA job in Bellingham?
Go beyond Indeed. Check the "Careers" pages directly on the websites of PeaceHealth, Whatcom County, and the City of Bellingham. Bellingham Technical College's career services is a goldmine for local connections. Networking with instructors and clinical preceptors is also highly effective.

4. Is the cost of living really 104.1? What does that mean for me?
Yes, according to BestPlaces.net data. It means Bellingham is about 4% more expensive than the national average. The biggest driver is housing. Your $17.4/hour wage goes further here than in Seattle but requires more careful budgeting than in the Midwest or South. The cost includes the premium for living in a desirable, scenic area.

5. How competitive is the job market for new CNAs?
For entry-level positions, it's moderately competitive but not cutthroat. Facilities with high turnover (some nursing homes) are often willing to train new graduates. The most desirable jobs (hospital, state facilities) are more competitive and may prefer candidates with clinicals or a few months of experience. Completing your training at BTC, which has strong local ties, gives you a significant edge.