SOC 25-2011 · Bellingham, WA metro

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education Salary in Bellingham, WA

The average salary for preschool teachers (except special education) in Bellingham, Washington is $42,900 a year ($20.63 an hour), according to BLS estimates for May 2025. The median is $39,350: half of the 290 people in this job in the Bellingham, WA metro area earn more than that, half earn less. That average is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($43,030).

$42,900average per year

$20.63 / hourMedian $39,350Take-home ≈ $36,650

  • $37K10th
  • $37K25th
  • $39KMedian
  • $45K75th
  • $52K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

290people in this job
-0%vs U.S. average
#11 of 11Washington metros
103cost of living (U.S. = 100)
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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay range in Bellingham

New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,900 a year or less, while the top 10% make $51,740 or more. The middle half of preschool teachers (except special education) in Bellingham earn between $36,900 and $44,570.

  • $37K10th
  • $37K25th
  • $39KMedian
  • $45K75th
  • $52K90th

median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it

Pay levelPer yearPer monthPer hour*
Average$42,900$3,575$20.62
Median$39,350$3,279$18.92
Entry level (25th percentile)$36,900$3,075$17.74
Experienced (75th percentile)$44,570$3,714$21.43

*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education pay in Bellingham vs. Washington and the U.S.

Preschool teachers (except special education) in Bellingham earn 11% less than the Washington average ($48,140) and about the same as the U.S. average ($43,030). At the median the gap is +3% against the U.S. median of $38,140.

AreaAverageMedian10th pct.90th pct.Jobs
Bellingham$42,900$39,350$36,900$51,740290
Washington$48,140$45,660$38,080$60,13013,210
United States$43,030$38,140$28,990$61,390478,780

State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary after taxes in Bellingham

On the average salary of $42,900, a single filer in Bellingham takes home about $36,650 a year, or $3,054 a month and $1,410 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.

Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.

Washington paycheck calculator: try your own salary

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Is Bellingham a good place for preschool teachers (except special education)? Pay vs. cost of living

Prices in the Bellingham area are 3% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 103.3), so the average $42,900 buys what about $41,516 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.7 times the median wage of all jobs in Bellingham ($57,820). A typical home costs $620,829, or 14.5 years of this average salary before tax.

See what $42,900 is worth in another city

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in other Washington cities

Bellingham ranks 11th of 11 Washington metro areas for this job; Mount Vernon pays the most ($52,350).

All Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salaries in Washington

Highest-paying cities for preschool teachers (except special education)

Vineland, NJ pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($62,570).

Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary by city

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Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education salary in Bellingham: questions

How much do preschool teachers (except special education) make an hour in Bellingham?

$20.63 an hour on average, and $18.92 at the median (BLS, May 2025).

What is the entry-level preschool teachers (except special education) salary in Bellingham?

The lowest-paid 10% earn about $36,900 a year and the 25th percentile is $36,900, a fair guide to starting pay.

What is the preschool teachers (except special education) take-home pay in Bellingham?

About $36,650 a year ($3,054 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $42,900. Washington has no state income tax; Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.

Do preschool teachers (except special education) earn more in Bellingham than elsewhere?

The average here is about the same as the U.S. average for this job ($43,030).

Sources and how to read this page

  • Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 25-2011; area Bellingham, WA (13380). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.3%.
  • U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
  • Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
  • Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
  • Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax. Washington's WA Cares (0.58%) and Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll premiums are not included.
  • Job concentration: location quotient 1.02, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.

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