ocity
💰 COL Index: 104 — Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Bellingham, WA

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$70,314
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$67,545
model average ÷ 104.1 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$159,558
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,306
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Bellingham?

$70,314 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$70,314/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,860/month
Household income context$54,867

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 +1% vs national

Marketing Manager

$159,558
💡 Purchasing-power model $153,274
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $76.71/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 +1% vs national

Pharmacist

$137,703
💡 Purchasing-power model $132,280
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $66.20/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 +1% vs national

Software Developer

$128,825
💡 Purchasing-power model $123,751
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $61.94/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ +1% vs national

Construction Manager

$109,540
💡 Purchasing-power model $105,226
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $52.66/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ +1% vs national

Project Manager

$102,525
💡 Purchasing-power model $98,487
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $49.29/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Bellingham

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (104.1/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is above 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $159,558
2 Pharmacist $137,703
3 Software Developer $128,825
4 Construction Manager $109,540
5 Project Manager $102,525
6 Physical Therapist $100,936
7 Financial Analyst $100,227
8 Web Developer $93,890
9 Dental Hygienist $88,606
10 Accountant $87,138
11 Registered Nurse $87,128
12 Data Analyst $84,385
13 Police Officer $75,831
14 Human Resources Specialist $68,482
15 Elementary School Teacher $64,453
16 Plumber $64,129
17 Paralegal $63,521
18 Electrician $62,307
19 Real Estate Agent $62,236
20 Graphic Designer $62,094
21 Firefighter $57,822
22 Carpenter $57,620
23 HVAC Technician $56,354
24 Heavy Truck Driver $53,743
25 Chef/Head Cook $50,615
26 Dental Assistant $50,615
27 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,615
28 Auto Mechanic $50,615
29 Social Worker $50,615
30 Veterinary Technician $50,615
31 Loan Officer $50,615
32 Insurance Agent $50,615
33 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,615
34 Cosmetologist $50,615
35 Personal Trainer $50,615
36 Pharmacy Technician $50,615
37 Nail Technician $50,615
38 Welder $50,199
39 Medical Assistant $38,740
40 Security Guard $36,584

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Bellingham salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.633×–1.518× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 104.1 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Bellingham

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,306/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,571/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$631,780
📉
Unemployment
4.2%
💳
Median Income
$54,867
🎓
College Educated
40%
🚶
Walk Score
35/100
📊
Cost of Living
104
Near Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Bellingham Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Bellingham Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Bellingham mean on this page?

▼
$70,314 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Bellingham workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Bellingham?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,860 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Bellingham?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Bellingham?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.633×–1.518× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Bellingham

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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🏙️ Bellingham City Overview 💰 Cost of Living 🏠 Real Estate 📊 Browse Salaries by City 💼 All Career Guides 🏘️ Neighborhood Guide 🔍 Career Arbitrage