Bellingham Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Bellingham, WA: $26.44/hr median hourly wage, $55,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 112, and $16.66/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Washington taxes.
Bellingham Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Bellingham, WA is $26.44/hr, equivalent to $55,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $16.39/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $37.54/hr, and the local minimum wage is $16.66/hr.
Median Salary
$55,000
$26.44/hr
Cost of Living
112
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$16.66
per hour
Unemployment
3.2%
rate
Bellingham, WA Overview
Population
93,734
Median Salary
$55,000
Average Salary
$62,000
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$500,000
Median Rent
$1,500/mo
Job Growth
+1.8%
Sales Tax
8.6%
Bellingham is located in Washington with a population of 93,734. The median household salary is $55,000 per year ($26.44/hour), which is $4,384 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.8%.
Bellingham Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Bellingham, WA based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $55,000 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $34,100 | $16.39/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $55,000 | $26.44/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $78,100 | $37.54/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $97,900 | $47.06/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Bellingham Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Bellingham, WA, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$46,373
$3,864.38/month · $1,783.56/biweekly · Effective Rate: 15.7%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,783.56 take-home per paycheck after estimated Washington and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$55,000
Federal Tax
-$4,420
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,208
Net Pay
$46,373
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,583.33 | $55,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$368.33 | -$4,420.00 |
| Washington State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$284.17 | -$3,410.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$66.46 | -$797.50 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,864.38 | $46,372.50 |
Salary Comparison: Bellingham vs Other Cities
See how Bellingham's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA | $55,000 | 112 | $49,107 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Santa Ana, CA | $55,000 | 150 | $36,667 |
| Ontario, CA | $55,000 | 108 | $50,926 |
| New Haven, CT | $55,000 | 115 | $47,826 |
| Cape Coral, FL | $55,000 | 98 | $56,122 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Bellingham
Bellingham's cost of living index is 112 (national average = 100). Living in Bellingham is 12% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$500,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Annual Rent Cost
$18,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $46,373 annual take-home pay in Bellingham has the purchasing power of approximately $41,404 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $61,600 in Bellingham to match a $55,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Bellingham
Bellingham's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $55,000.
Salary Tips for Bellingham Workers
- No state income tax advantage. Washington has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Bellingham's top industries include Education, Healthcare, Tourism. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $55,000 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Bellingham salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Bellingham-WA metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Bellingham indexed at 112.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Bellingham's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $55,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Washington state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (8.6%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Bellingham: 3.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Education, Healthcare, Tourism — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Washington.
- Housing context: median home price $500,000, median rent $1,500/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Bellingham, WA:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Bellingham unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Bellingham QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Washington — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Bellingham's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Washington labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Bellingham, WA?
The median hourly wage in Bellingham, WA is $26.44 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $55,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $16.39/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $37.54/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Bellingham, WA?
The median salary in Bellingham, WA is $55,000 per year, or $26.44 per hour. The average salary is $62,000. This is $4,384 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Bellingham, WA?
Bellingham's cost of living index is 112 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $500,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,500.
What are the best industries in Bellingham?
The top industries in Bellingham, WA include Education, Healthcare, Tourism. The city has a job growth rate of 1.8% and an unemployment rate of 3.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $55,000.
How does Bellingham's salary compare to other cities?
Bellingham's median salary of $55,000 is 7.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 112), the real purchasing power is approximately $49,107.
What is the minimum wage in Bellingham, WA?
The minimum wage in Bellingham, WA is $16.66 per hour. This equals approximately $34,653 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $9.41 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.