Electrician Salary in Bellingham, WA: $99,659 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrician in Bellingham, WA earns a median $99,659/year (≈ $47.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2111). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $96,444 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $99,659 for electricians in Bellingham, Washington, the financial landscape for electrical professionals in the area is significantly favorable compared to the national average of $64,530. The salary range runs from $58,750 at the 10th percentile to $129,876 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the electrical field. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlights the substantial advantage that union electricians, such as those affiliated with the IBEW, experience over their non-union counterparts. Union contracts often yield pay rates 30-50% higher, providing additional benefits and job security, which makes the electrician salary in Bellingham particularly attractive for those entering the trade.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,750 | $28.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,902 | $34.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,659 | $47.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $127,609 | $61.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,876 | $62.45 |
Median Salary Position
54.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the electrician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,126 (2026 est.). At $99,659, the local median is 54.44% above the national median of $64,530.
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How Bellingham Electrician Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $99,659/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $98,672 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $64,530 | +54.44% more |
Electricians in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $99,659 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.44% higher than the national median of $64,530 and 1.00% above the Washington state average of $98,672.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,659 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,444 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,500
2025 BLS Actual
$97,590
2026 Current Est.
$99,659
2019–2027 Growth
+65.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electricians in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.12% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,659 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,772 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median electrician salary grew 58.7% from $61,500 (2019) to $97,590 (2025). At a 2.12% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,772 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,272 (65.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.12% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $58,750 – $70,902 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,902 – $99,659 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,659 – $127,609 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $127,609 – $129,876 |
ELEC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrician Job Market in Bellingham
In Bellingham, approximately 560 electricians are actively employed, indicating a stable job market for this profession. However, the cost-of-living index of 103.334 suggests that while salaries are stronger than the national average, they must be viewed in the context of living expenses in the region. Among local employers, union electrical contractors, especially those focusing on commercial and industrial projects, tend to offer the highest compensation packages. Non-union contractors, predominantly in residential sectors, typically pay less. Those looking to maximize their electrician pay in Bellingham, WA, may find that pursuing specialized skills in areas like industrial controls, or taking on overtime opportunities, can lead to significant earnings potential. The increasing demand for renewable energy solutions and data center electrical work also creates opportunities for electricians willing to engage in emerging specialties, making it essential for workers to stay informed about market trends and upgrade their skills accordingly.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst
Career Analyst
Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $97,590 for electriciansin the Bellingham metropolitan area. A 2.12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electricians (SOC 47-2111).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov