Accountant Salary in Bellingham, WA: $87,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Bellingham, WA earns a median $87,680/year (≈ $42.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $84,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, the projected median annual salary for accountants in 2026 is $87,680, which is slightly above the national median of $85,864. This figure is reflective of the unique dynamics influencing accountant pay in the region, with salaries ranging from $62,469 at the lower end (P10) to $140,401 for those at the top tier (P90). Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys highlights how Bellingham’s market operates differently from traditional accounting sectors, like the Big 4 firms, which often pay a premium for specialized skills. In the Bellingham area, the presence of various types of employers—ranging from mid-sized CPA firms to local industry positions—creates a complex salary structure that affects compensation prospects for accountants.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,469 | $30.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,644 | $36.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,680 | $42.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,802 | $51.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,401 | $67.51 |
Median Salary Position
2.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,932 (2026 est.). At $87,680, the local median is 2.11% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Accountant Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $87,680/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $92,004 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | +2.11% more |
Accountants in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $87,680 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.11% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 4.70% below the Washington state average of $92,004.
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 $87,680 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $84,851 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,120
2025 BLS Actual
$85,450
2026 Current Est.
$87,680
2019–2027 Growth
+42.5%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,969 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 35.4% from $63,120 (2019) to $85,450 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,849 (42.54%) 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 2.61% 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) | $62,469 – $75,644 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,644 – $87,680 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,680 – $107,802 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,802 – $140,401 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Bellingham
With approximately 870 accountants working in Bellingham, the local job market appears stable, although the cost of living, with a cost of living index of 103.334, poses a challenge to take-home pay. While large public accounting firms may offer top salaries, regional CPA firms and corporate departments also provide competitive wages, especially for those in specialized areas like tax or forensic accounting. The pay differentials can be significant due to factors like CPA licensure, which can elevate starting salaries, coupled with the nuances of the public-to-private transition where many professionals seek larger compensations in industry roles. To maximize income in Bellingham, accountants might consider targeting opportunities in firms that offer busy-season bonuses or an equity stake in the firm, particularly within public firms, while also expanding their skill set to include in-demand specializations.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
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 $85,450 for accountantsin the Bellingham metropolitan area. A 2.61% 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 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov