City Town Info

Bellingham Employment

Employment and Industries in the Bellingham, Washington Area

The number of manufacturing jobs in Bellingham, Washington has declined and service jobs have now become more important to the city. Fishing, timber and agriculture are still important to the economy, however they are not as vital as there were in the past. The major agricultural industries are berries and dairy farming.

Jobs are provided by businesses that produce items such as transportation equipment, baked goods, processed frozen foods and wood products. Luxury yachts and military boats are the focus of the shipbuilding industry. In addition, healthcare has become a more important part of the economy.

The top fields of employment in Bellingham, Washington are government; trade, transportation and utilities; leisure and hospitality; healthcare, manufacturing, educational services, and professional and business services. About 33% of the labor force is employed in management, professional and related occupations. 30% of the workers are employed in sales and office jobs.

The Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council promotes, local companies, products and services and assists companies in interfacing with international, national and regional markets. The council also provides a variety of other services.

Bellingham's largest job providers:

  • Western Washington University
  • St. Joseph Hospital
  • Bellingham School District
  • Whatcom County
  • City of Bellingham
  • Haggen Inc
  • Sodexho Services
  • Brown & Cole
  • T-Mobile
  • Fred Meyer Inc
  • Peacehealth Medical Group
  • Anvil Corporation
  • Interior Pacific Inc
  • Olympic Health Management Systems, Inc
  • Imco General Construction Inc
  • Portionables, Inc
  • Macy's Department Stores, Inc
  • Walmart
  • Costco Wholesale Corporation

Notable information regarding Bellingham, Washington: Adult population which has earned a bachelor's degree or higher: 33%. Average salary in 2009: $35,000. Cost of living index in 2008: 107.0 (U.S. average: 100).

Bellingham companies have opportunities to work with helpful organizations such as:

Those interested in Bellingham business and economic news may want to read the Bellingham Herald.

Most Popular Jobs in Bellingham, Washington Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Elementary school teachers, except special education80051,290$32,550 - 74,04014%95%
2Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products73064,210$32,590 - 125,4808%51%
3Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education51056,150$40,590 - 75,8106%96%
4Teachers and instructors, all other50035,870$26,260 - 51,7009%54%
5Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation47059,230$34,890 - 80,1405%58%
6Accountants and auditors47059,310$40,880 - 84,78018%79%
7Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education34054,470$40,190 - 72,93011%95%
8Coaches and scouts25035,140$18,870 - 59,94015%60%
9Financial managers240105,610$48,950 - 13%60%
10Civil engineers24068,560$53,790 - 94,65018%87%
11Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents22062,840$27,820 - 119,54025%67%
12Social and human service assistants20025,250$18,090 - 36,48034%58%
13Detectives and criminal investigators200 $ - 17%54%
14Pharmacists190104,280$89,120 - 126,78022%97%
15Lawyers17071,840$45,900 - 102,50011%99%
16Managers, all other16090,250$54,990 - 129,2607%55%
17Graphic designers16036,010$23,300 - 50,62010%55%
18Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other15049,850$41,540 - 62,39017%56%
19Computer software engineers, applications14072,610$48,910 - 101,60045%85%
20Educational, vocational, and school counselors14052,870$37,510 - 74,32013%73%
21Librarians13056,130$41,420 - 75,3604%85%
22Rehabilitation counselors13036,580$20,900 - 56,57023%73%
23Network systems and data communications analysts13049,420$35,420 - 72,02053%57%
24Self-enrichment education teachers13042,770$23,890 - 59,79023%54%
25Education administrators, elementary and secondary school12087,310$61,170 - 106,7408%78%
26Network and computer systems administrators12056,700$37,180 - 78,47027%50%
27Market research analysts12051,410$35,090 - 79,67020%82%
28Computer systems analysts11061,220$42,630 - 80,87029%68%
29Sales managers110135,140$70,640 - 10%69%
30Child, family, and school social workers11047,250$31,390 - 62,57019%77%
31Environmental scientists and specialists, including health10071,460$39,000 - 111,59025%93%
32Mechanical engineers10094,430$60,550 - 142,7904%78%
33Mental health counselors9041,570$30,940 - 56,42030%73%
34Floral designers9022,980$17,740 - 30,7800%55%
35Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products9069,790$31,050 - 117,61012%51%
36Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors9039,480$29,480 - 57,26014%54%
37Management analysts8066,220$30,140 - 114,01022%78%
38Aerospace engineers8081,010$55,130 - 107,66010%87%
39Advertising sales agents8042,850$20,720 - 63,14020%56%
40Employment, recruitment, and placement specialists8044,310$30,100 - 64,25018%56%
41Education, training, and library workers, all other8045,540$33,410 - 59,95011%79%
42Editors8048,570$28,670 - 87,4602%81%
43Public relations specialists8058,140$31,950 - 96,90018%81%
44Urban and regional planners8056,810$41,160 - 77,43015%92%
45Architects, except landscape and naval7065,980$43,210 - 97,21018%88%
46Vocational education teachers, secondary school7059,210$43,250 - 79,0200%96%
47Veterinarians7079,810$57,800 - 112,67035%100%
48Computer and information systems managers7084,120$59,940 - 123,33016%73%
49Training and development specialists7056,240$35,580 - 81,98018%56%
50Engineering managers70121,800$82,250 - 163,1907%84%
51Sales and related workers, all other7062,350$20,110 - 14%62%
52Instructional coordinators6050,350$27,210 - 80,17023%79%
53Mental health and substance abuse social workers6035,430$27,680 - 48,59030%77%
54Industrial engineers6082,500$50,130 - 103,36020%74%
55Speech-language pathologists6056,220$44,220 - 77,08011%98%
56Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school6052,290$36,310 - 67,61020%87%
57Medical and public health social workers6041,670$32,210 - 54,46024%77%
58Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists6059,700$40,330 - 83,36016%99%
59Social and community service managers5061,530$35,960 - 95,96025%72%
60Special education teachers, middle school5053,680$35,070 - 70,46016%87%
61Chemists5065,210$36,100 - 118,9309%93%
62Computer programmers5071,310$37,440 - 110,9800%73%
63Occupational health and safety specialists5055,080$42,910 - 73,8208%72%
64Financial specialists, all other5046,740$29,550 - 65,07012%50%
65Physical therapists5070,940$52,650 - 95,08027%89%
66Marketing managers5099,830$57,400 - 152,78014%69%
67Special education teachers, secondary school5047,470$29,960 - 72,1809%87%
68Physician assistants5088,580$70,450 - 123,37027%67%
69Computer specialists, all other5049,820$25,590 - 79,32015%68%
70Medical and health services managers5094,650$46,330 - 16%57%
71Legislators4042,830$21,330 - 74,7801%65%
72Community and social service specialists, all other4035,670$26,990 - 52,70025%58%
73Database administrators4047,710$28,880 - 75,14029%72%
74Merchandise displayers and window trimmers4030,490$23,190 - 40,06011%55%
75Environmental engineers3072,870$55,110 - 99,61025%86%
76Electronics engineers, except computer3072,400$47,400 - 106,3604%81%
77Human resources managers, all other3078,190$56,570 - 104,66011%58%
78Computer software engineers, systems software3068,510$31,460 - 98,64028%85%
79Meeting and convention planners3049,180$30,190 - 78,95020%67%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,94026,120$17,590 - 39,63012%25%
2Cashiers2,41022,770$17,510 - 33,140-2%10%
3Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks1,83035,040$24,280 - 49,39013%16%
4Waiters and waitresses1,77025,660$17,730 - 32,71011%14%
5Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,72021,040$17,490 - 26,21018%5%
6Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop1,70021,260$17,500 - 28,39010%8%
7Office clerks, general1,63027,460$19,800 - 37,37013%19%
8Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners1,27027,870$19,300 - 38,32015%4%
9Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,26026,750$18,920 - 36,2702%5%
10Carpenters1,07048,530$31,160 - 71,35010%6%
11Receptionists and information clerks1,01024,920$18,090 - 33,01017%13%
12Stock clerks and order fillers99024,030$17,830 - 35,100-7%8%
13Customer service representatives94028,750$21,870 - 37,74025%22%
14Cooks, restaurant91023,880$19,350 - 30,21012%5%
15Teacher assistants89027,640$21,730 - 32,59010%18%
16Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive83031,760$21,630 - 42,7201%18%
17First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers81048,290$33,130 - 66,3406%29%
18Construction laborers80038,290$20,020 - 75,10011%5%
19Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer79038,300$27,460 - 49,93010%4%
20Maintenance and repair workers, general79037,610$20,810 - 51,23010%6%
21Counter and rental clerks77023,340$17,490 - 32,49023%16%
22First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers71042,670$25,510 - 62,7804%25%
23Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters71052,560$31,150 - 82,78011%4%
24Personal and home care aides67022,800$17,950 - 29,38051%10%
25Electricians63046,200$28,400 - 62,9107%7%
26Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants63022,930$18,120 - 29,28018%7%
27Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks61028,170$19,750 - 39,0404%6%
28First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers59034,240$21,080 - 47,54011%14%
29Maids and housekeeping cleaners57020,420$17,440 - 24,96013%5%
30Security guards53029,710$18,400 - 40,84017%13%
31First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers53066,210$39,820 - 98,8009%10%
32Team assemblers53028,130$21,160 - 38,5900%5%
33Home health aides52022,170$17,750 - 26,55049%7%
34Food preparation workers51021,710$17,240 - 30,61015%7%
35Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers51039,120$29,360 - 50,5405%2%
36Dishwashers49019,550$17,330 - 23,03010%3%
37General and operations managers490109,450$54,910 - 2%48%
38Landscaping and groundskeeping workers49032,950$21,380 - 47,50018%6%
39Child care workers48021,000$17,580 - 26,20018%15%
40Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses46038,150$32,180 - 45,81014%7%
41Medical secretaries45035,140$27,140 - 45,72017%18%
42Truck drivers, light or delivery services45029,470$18,620 - 49,3108%4%
43Tellers44024,650$19,870 - 31,20014%16%
44First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers43054,110$33,130 - 78,890-4%15%
45Executive secretaries and administrative assistants39040,390$29,880 - 53,54015%18%
46Helpers--production workers38028,240$19,480 - 38,0600%4%
47Packers and packagers, hand35024,670$18,170 - 32,210-11%3%
48Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers35019,640$17,050 - 24,19012%6%
49Automotive service technicians and mechanics33039,040$26,370 - 59,35014%4%
50Office and administrative support workers, all other33030,900$22,000 - 40,350-8%32%
51Business operations specialists, all other32057,070$36,130 - 82,43021%49%
52Painters, construction and maintenance30034,380$26,690 - 42,14012%6%
53Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders30024,340$19,780 - 31,940-4%5%
54Billing and posting clerks and machine operators30030,540$22,450 - 39,7404%15%
55Bartenders27027,800$18,120 - 38,44011%17%
56Industrial truck and tractor operators26031,730$21,370 - 46,050-1%2%
57Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers26020,620$17,270 - 26,19011%2%
58Bus drivers, school25034,430$28,300 - 39,9309%4%
59Police and sheriff's patrol officers25065,470$51,840 - 79,72011%33%
60Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators25059,720$38,160 - 94,0008%3%
61Medical assistants24030,840$23,280 - 39,93035%10%
62Computer support specialists24043,100$26,080 - 60,89013%43%
63First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers24058,570$39,550 - 79,2907%13%
64Pharmacy technicians24034,160$27,860 - 39,96032%16%
65Court, municipal, and license clerks23036,460$27,140 - 48,9009%24%
66Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists23025,210$17,650 - 37,65012%6%
67Postal service mail carriers220 1%11%
68Vocational education teachers, postsecondary21048,640$33,030 - 64,8900%0%
69Food servers, nonrestaurant21025,490$18,140 - 33,49016%9%
70Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers21039,530$27,000 - 56,250-6%14%
71Industrial machinery mechanics20045,040$34,040 - 58,7409%5%
72Cooks, institution and cafeteria20025,160$17,520 - 32,72011%5%
73Roofers20039,140$27,980 - 51,31014%3%
74Recreation workers20023,750$17,710 - 35,65013%47%
75Amusement and recreation attendants20020,110$17,520 - 24,53024%22%
76Bakers19028,310$19,220 - 39,07010%8%
77Dental assistants19034,670$22,690 - 46,93029%9%
78Cost estimators18058,050$34,070 - 89,14019%32%
79Fiberglass laminators and fabricators18031,870$22,000 - 44,6306%5%
80Parts salespersons18028,020$20,820 - 38,880-1%6%
81Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers17026,300$18,250 - 38,61012%0%
82Machine feeders and offbearers17025,200$20,730 - 31,980-14%0%
83Cleaners of vehicles and equipment17023,450$17,590 - 34,80014%3%
84Library assistants, clerical17021,890$17,550 - 30,5508%37%
85Dental hygienists17087,680$73,170 - 103,19030%33%
86Fire fighters17053,770$36,440 - 72,39012%18%
87Library technicians17034,790$27,460 - 43,9209%27%
88Telemarketers17024,290$17,690 - 31,870-9%14%
89Structural metal fabricators and fitters17037,340$27,420 - 48,4800%0%
90Millwrights17057,010$40,790 - 79,9106%0%
91Sales representatives, services, all other16053,640$27,130 - 95,82028%48%
92Hotel, motel, and resort desk clerks16020,950$17,370 - 25,95017%14%
93Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers16046,250$33,280 - 62,2709%3%
94Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic16040,100$23,950 - 50,950-12%0%
95Cement masons and concrete finishers160 11%2%
96Assemblers and fabricators, all other16031,050$22,170 - 39,900-8%5%
97Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors16038,240$22,930 - 50,89027%47%
98Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood15028,940$20,880 - 37,5104%0%
99Drywall and ceiling tile installers15055,080$31,100 - 78,8007%2%
100Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop15019,490$17,250 - 20,99010%17%
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Jobs More Common Near Bellingham Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Fiberglass laminators and fabricators31,87018024.1
Textile winding, twisting, and drawing out machine setters, operators, and tenders24,52013013.1
Sawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, wood28,94015012.2
Millwrights57,01017010.5
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers20,6202607.3
Tapers41,4701006.3
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop21,2601,7005.9
Court, municipal, and license clerks36,4602304.8
Detectives and criminal investigators 2004.3
Vocational education teachers, postsecondary48,6402104
Gaming dealers28,4901403.8
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation59,2304703.4
Machine feeders and offbearers25,2001703.2
Roofers39,1402003.1
Structural metal fabricators and fitters37,3401703.1
Counter and rental clerks23,3407703.1
Library technicians34,7901703.1
Library assistants, clerical21,8901703
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters52,5607102.9
Coaches and scouts35,1402502.8
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers39,1205102.8
Personal and home care aides22,8006702.7
Rehabilitation counselors36,5801302.6
Bakers28,3101902.6
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic40,1001602.6
Office and administrative support workers, all other30,9003302.4
Environmental scientists and specialists, including health71,4601002.3
Drywall and ceiling tile installers55,0801502.3
Cargo and freight agents40,2801002.2
Carpenters48,5301,0702.2
Helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers26,3001702.2
Painters, construction and maintenance34,3803002.1
Food servers, nonrestaurant25,4902102.1
Teachers and instructors, all other35,8705001.9
Cooks, restaurant23,8809101.8
Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks35,0401,8301.8
Electricians46,2006301.8
Medical secretaries35,1404501.8
Dental hygienists87,6801701.8
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products39,3101301.7
Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders24,3403001.7
Dishwashers19,5504901.7
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers66,2105301.7
Medical records and health information technicians32,0901501.7
Receptionists and information clerks24,9201,0101.6
Librarians56,1301301.6
Helpers--production workers28,2403801.6
Civil engineers68,5602401.6
Amusement and recreation attendants20,1102001.6
Sewing machine operators25,8901101.5

Work Paying Relatively Well in the Bellingham, Washington Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Bartenders27,8001.43270
Drywall and ceiling tile installers55,0801.43150
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators59,7201.4250
Dental hygienists87,6801.38170
Sales managers135,1401.37110
Waiters and waitresses25,6601.371,770
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic40,1001.37160
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers32,9501.36490
Police and sheriff's patrol officers65,4701.35250
Bus drivers, school34,4301.32250
Gaming dealers28,4901.31140
Fire fighters53,7701.28170
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors38,2401.27160
Food servers, nonrestaurant25,4901.26210
Teacher assistants27,6401.24890
Carpenters48,5301.241,070
Construction laborers38,2901.23800
Cashiers22,7701.232,410
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food21,0401.221,720
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners27,8701.221,270
Pharmacy technicians34,1601.22240
Medical secretaries35,1401.21450
Packers and packagers, hand24,6701.21350
Helpers--production workers28,2401.19380
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop21,2601.191,700
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers39,5301.18210
Bakers28,3101.18190
Library technicians34,7901.18170
Security guards29,7101.18530
Compliance officers, except agriculture, construction, health and safety, and transportation59,2301.17470
Assemblers and fabricators, all other31,0501.17160
Child, family, and school social workers47,2501.16110
Sewing machine operators25,8901.15110
Construction managers96,4501.15130
Personal and home care aides22,8001.14670
Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters52,5601.14710
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers66,2101.14530
Financial managers105,6101.14240
Millwrights57,0101.14170
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products64,2101.14730
Dishwashers19,5501.14490
General and operations managers109,4501.14490
First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers34,2401.13590
Food preparation workers21,7101.13510
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers19,6401.13350
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers46,2501.13160
Loan officers66,5901.13110
Cleaners of vehicles and equipment23,4501.12170
Self-enrichment education teachers42,7701.12130
Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers39,1201.11510

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