Average Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
In Bellingham, WA, professionals in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations earn an average annual salary of $63,050. This figure is notably below the national average of $77,720, suggesting that local market dynamics, such as industry demand and the cost of doing business, play a significant role in compensation levels within this sector in the Pacific Northwest.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $63,050 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $99,740.
- Outlook: Bellingham hosts a workforce of 1,090 individuals in these creative fields, representing 11.95 jobs per 1,000 workers. With a Location Quotient of 0.88, the concentration of these occupations is slightly below the national average, indicating a moderately developed but not oversaturated market. This suggests a stable demand for talent, though perhaps not explosive growth.
Salary Overview
The average Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Bellingham, WA earns-18.9%below the national average.
$30.3
$1,213
$5,254
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Bellingham's creative sector is not provided, it's reasonable to assume a general upward trend in salaries over the past four years, mirroring national patterns. Economic recovery and increased investment in digital media, entertainment, and design services likely contributed to modest salary increases, aiming to keep pace with inflation and talent acquisition needs.
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salary Distribution in Bellingham, WA
Career progression within Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Bellingham typically sees a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills and a proven track record can command salaries well into the upper percentiles, reflecting a substantial earning potential as expertise grows.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior / AssociateEntry level. Focus on learning core skills & codebase. | 10% (Entry) | $36,880 | $17.7 |
| Engineer IProficient contributor. Handles tasks independently. | 25% (Junior) | $47,288 | $22.7 |
| Senior EngineerSystem design, complex problem solving, mentoring. | 50% (Median) | $54,070 | $26 |
| Lead / StaffTechnical strategy, architecture, cross-team impact. | 75% (Senior) | $78,813 | $37.9 |
| Principal / ArchitectIndustry expert. Driving technical vision & innovation. | 90% (Expert) | $99,740 | $48 |
Detailed Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$63,050
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$63,050
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $63,050 in Bellingham aligns perfectly with the local Cost of Living Index of 100, which is the national average. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average for these professions, the purchasing power of that income in Bellingham is equivalent to the national average, making it neither a particularly expensive nor an exceptionally affordable place to live.
Job Market Context
1,090
Total Jobs
11.949
Per 1K Jobs
0.88
Location Quotient
Bellingham, WA has 0.88x the national average concentration of Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
A Location Quotient of 0.88 for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Bellingham indicates that this sector is slightly less concentrated than the national average. This suggests that while these roles are present and contribute to the local economy, the market is not saturated, potentially offering opportunities for skilled professionals to find employment without facing intense competition.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
Comparing salaries near Bellingham, WA
Hiring Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupationss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations make in Bellingham, WA?
The median annual salary for a Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Bellingham, WA is $63,050. This typically ranges from $36,880 for entry-level positions to $99,740 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Bellingham, WA is 18.9% lower than the national median of $77,720.
Is Bellingham, WA a lucrative place for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupationss?
No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to national averages.The average salary of $63,050 is below the national average of $77,720, although the cost of living is on par with the national average.
Is Bellingham, WA a good place to live for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations?
The Cost of Living Index in Bellingham, WA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Bellingham, WA?
Some top paying nearby cities include Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA ($60,450) and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA.
How does Bellingham's salary for these roles compare to the national average?
The average salary in Bellingham ($63,050) is approximately 19% lower than the national average ($77,720) for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations.
What is the significance of the Location Quotient (LQ) of 0.88?
An LQ of 0.88 means that these occupations are slightly less common in Bellingham relative to the nation as a whole. It suggests a stable, but not dominant, presence of these industries in the local job market.
Does the cost of living in Bellingham affect the perceived salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100, Bellingham's cost of living is exactly the national average. Therefore, the $63,050 salary offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average, despite being a lower nominal figure.
How many people work in these creative fields in Bellingham?
There are approximately 1,090 individuals employed in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations in Bellingham, WA.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,090 employees in the Bellingham, WA area with a job density of 11.949 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Bellingham, WA
- All Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Production Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Construction and Extraction Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Bellingham, WA
- Browse All Jobs in Bellingham, WA →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Bellingham, WA