Firefighter salary in Bellingham, WA
Firefighters in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn a median of $101,130 a year ($48.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,990 for the top 10%. That is 71% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 7% higher than the Washington statewide median of $94,520. There are 3.5 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,600, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Bellingham, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,690 | $29.66 |
| 25th percentile | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| Median | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| 75th percentile | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,990 | $56.73 |
| Average (mean) | $93,600 | $45.00 |
Half of firefighters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,427.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,213.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,889.62 |
| Weekly | $1,944.81 |
| Hourly | $48.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $101,090 | 3,760 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $95,910 | 290 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $90,050 | 260 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $85,170 | 1,730 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $83,310 | 750 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $81,100 | 180 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $80,090 | 360 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $78,940 | n/a |
| Yakima, WA | $62,120 | 410 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $58,920 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bellingham, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $101,810 | $48.95 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $122,840 | $59.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $137,720 | $66.21 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $50,520 | $24.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $132,730 | $63.81 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $56,450 | $27.14 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $70,940 | $34.10 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $70,970 | $34.12 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Bellingham, WA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Bellingham, WA?
The median salary for firefighters in the Bellingham, WA metro area is $101,130 a year, or $48.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Bellingham, WA?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn at least $117,990 a year. The top 25% earn $102,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Bellingham, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,690 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $81,270 or less.
How many firefighters work in Bellingham, WA?
About 320 firefighters are employed in the Bellingham, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.