Nurse Practitioner Salary in Bellingham, WA: $152,992 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Bellingham, WA earns a median $152,992/year (≈ $73.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $148,056 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, nurse practitioners in Bellingham, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $152,992, significantly surpassing the national median of $136,864. This impressive figure reflects not only the competitive nature of nurse practitioner salaries in Bellingham but also the state's full-practice authority, which allows NPs to operate independently without the need for a collaboration agreement. The overall salary range for nurse practitioners in the area falls between $110,278 at the 10th percentile and $175,068 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust local job market with diverse opportunities. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, confirming that Bellingham presents an attractive environment for those considering a career as a nurse practitioner.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $110,278 | $53.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $138,975 | $66.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,992 | $73.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $171,603 | $82.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $175,068 | $84.17 |
Median Salary Position
11.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,790 (2026 est.). At $152,992, the local median is 11.78% above the national median of $136,864.
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At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be above the median
How Bellingham Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $152,992/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $151,029 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $136,864 | +11.78% more |
Nurse Practitioners in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $152,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.78% higher than the national median of $136,864 and 1.30% above the Washington state average of $151,029.
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 $152,992 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,056 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,180
2025 BLS Actual
$147,890
2026 Current Est.
$152,992
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $107,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,992 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 42.0% from $104,180 (2019) to $147,890 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,090 (51.92%) 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 3.45% 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) | $110,278 – $138,975 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $138,975 – $152,992 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,992 – $171,603 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $171,603 – $175,068 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Bellingham
With approximately 150 nurse practitioners currently employed in Bellingham, the local job market is showing promise, especially as demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow. The cost of living index in the area stands at 103.334, suggesting that while wages are competitive, the cost of living may slightly impact the overall purchasing power of nurse practitioners in Bellingham. Employers in the area, such as hospital outpatient clinics and specialty clinics, tend to offer better compensation packages, particularly for those specializing in areas like psychiatry or acute care. The wage variance can also be attributed to factors such as productivity bonuses, demand for specific population focuses, and potential side income from telehealth practices. To maximize earnings, nurse practitioners should consider diversifying their skill sets, seeking positions in high-demand specialties, and exploring opportunities with employers willing to offer incentives or performance-based pay adjustments.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
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 $147,890 for nurse practitionersin the Bellingham metropolitan area. A 3.45% 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 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov