Registered Nurse Salary Overview in Bellingham, WA
Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Registered Nurse pay in Bellingham, WA at about $115,215 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $84,310.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $149,370.
Salary estimates are based on data from the Bellingham, WA metropolitan area.
If you’re comparing Registered Nurse salaries in Bellingham, WA, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.
Bellingham, WA vs. U.S. National Average
Bellingham, WA pays +23% vs u.s. for Registered Nurse roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.
| Market | Projected Salary | vs Bellingham, WA | Market Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham, WA (this guide) | $115,215 | Baseline | Local market |
| United States | $93,600.0 | -19% vs U.S. | National baseline |
| Seattle, WA | $118,570 | +3% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| Wenatchee, WA | $108,350 | -6% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
| Walla Walla, WA | $105,360 | -9% vs U.S. | Comparable city |
Registered Nurse Salary by Experience Level in Bellingham, WA
Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Bellingham, WA, this breakdown shows how aRegistered Nurse can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.
| Level | Experience | Projected Salary | Projected Range | Market Signal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level Registered Nurse | 0-2 years | $110,202 | $95,627.0 - $115,215 | +18% vs U.S. |
| Mid-Level Registered Nurse | 3-5 years | $115,215 | $110,202 - $139,499 | +23% vs U.S. |
| Senior Registered Nurse | 6-10 years | $139,499 | $115,215 - $169,420 | +49% vs U.S. |
| Lead / Principal Registered Nurse | 10+ years | $169,420 | $139,499 - $206,692 | +81% vs U.S. |
Best Salary Areas Near Bellingham, WA
Nearby metro areas help show how Registered Nurse pay changes around Bellingham, WA. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.
Registered Nurse Salary by Industry in Bellingham, WA
Industry premiums in Bellingham, WA usually come from employers that place the Registered Nurse role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.
| Industry | Modeled Salary | Reference Range | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government Excluding Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $106,520 | $72,690.0 - $159,640 | Stronger salary |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $96,360.0 | $63,600.0 - $130,750 | Stronger salary |
| Administrative, Support, Waste Management, and Remediation Services | $95,870.0 | $50,610.0 - $166,330 | Stronger salary |
| Government, Schools, Hospitals, and Postal Service | $95,740.0 | $64,470.0 - $151,570 | Competitive |
| Wholesale Trade | $95,460.0 | $72,370.0 - $137,120 | Competitive |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $95,070.0 | $69,980.0 - $133,860 | Competitive |
| Retail Trade | $94,880.0 | $65,120.0 - $122,930 | Competitive |
| Information | $94,780.0 | $76,590.0 - $100,310 | Competitive |
Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Bellingham, WA
Entry-level Registered Nurse jobs in Bellingham, WA are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.
For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Registered Nurse salary guide.
Remote vs Onsite Registered Nurse Pay in Bellingham, WA
Remote work can widen the employer pool for Registered Nurse candidates in Bellingham, WA. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.
| Work Type | Estimated Salary | Experience | Best Fit | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remote | $112,911 | Market dependent | National hiring pools | High |
| Hybrid | $117,519 | Metro dependent | Bellingham, WA employers | Medium |
| Onsite | $115,215 | Location dependent | Local teams and operations | Lower |
Cost of Living vs Salary in Bellingham, WA
A salary in Bellingham, WA should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.
Top Employers Hiring Registered Nurses in Bellingham, WA
Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Registered Nurse pay tends to be strongest in Bellingham, WA, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.
Bellingham, WA Compared With Other U.S. Cities
This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherBellingham, WA is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Registered Nurse work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.
Registered Nurse Salary Trends in Bellingham, WA Over Time
Historical salary trend data for Registered Nurse in Bellingham, WA is available across multiple BLS wage years. The chart below shows how the local salary benchmark has changed over time.
* 2024–2026 values are modeled estimates extending from the last confirmed BLS benchmark. The last confirmed BLS figure ($102K, 2024) is extended with recent wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available, then replaced when official data is published.
Career Growth Opportunities in Bellingham, WA
Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.
| Metric | 2026 Outlook |
|---|---|
| Projected employment | 3,391k → 3,557.1k |
| Typical education | Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. |
| Related experience | A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. |
| Local market anchor | 1,670 jobs with a median of $115,215 |
Factors Affecting Registered Nurse Salary in Bellingham, WA
Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.
How to Increase Your Registered Nurse Salary in Bellingham, WA
In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.
Registered Nurse Salary in Bellingham, WA: FAQs
These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.
These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Registered Nurse" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.
What is the average Registered Nurse in Bellingham, WAs salary?⌄
What is the entry-level Registered Nurse in Bellingham, WAs salary?⌄
How much can senior Registered Nurse in Bellingham, WAs professionals earn?⌄
Does location affect Registered Nurse in Bellingham, WAs salary?⌄
Which skills matter for Registered Nurse in Bellingham, WAs salary growth?⌄
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.