Financial Advisor Pay

Bellingham vs Pasco: Financial Advisor Salary (2026)

Compare financial advisor salaries between Bellingham, WA and Pasco, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bellingham, WA
$106,823
$51.36/hr
Pasco, WA
$101,430
$48.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellingham, WAPasco, WA
Median Salary$106,823$101,430
Hourly Rate$51.36$48.77
Entry Level (P10)$62,021$58,829
25th Percentile$74,758$73,030
75th Percentile$172,170$129,831
Top Earner (P90)$284,653$157,217
Total Employed17018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellingham ($106,823) and Pasco ($101,430) financial advisor salaries.BellinghamPascoMedian Salary$106,823$101,430Entry Level (P10)$62,021$58,829Top Earner (P90)$284,653$157,217US Median $108,537

Verdict

Bellingham, WA offers better overall compensation for financial advisors, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pasco.

The salary gap between Bellingham and Pasco is $5,393 (5.32%). Bellingham's median is -1.58% compared to the US national median of $108,537.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bellingham spans $222,632,Pasco spans $98,388. Bellingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bellingham
P10 (Entry)$62,021
P25$74,758
Median$106,823
P75$172,170
P90 (Top)$284,653
Pasco
P10 (Entry)$58,829
P25$73,030
Median$101,430
P75$129,831
P90 (Top)$157,217

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bellingham ($103,376 effective) pays 9.46% more than Pasco ($94,441 effective).

Bellingham
Nominal: $106,823
CoL Index: 103.334
Adjusted: $103,376
Pasco
Nominal: $101,430
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $94,441

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bellingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($106,823/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($284,653)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,376)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Pasco if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, financial advisor salaries in Bellingham grew 24.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -20.6% growth in Pasco over the same period.

Bellingham, WA

+24.8%

$82,830 (2019) → $103,410 (2025)

Pasco, WA

+-20.6%

$123,653 (2024) → $98,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays financial advisors more: Bellingham or Pasco?

Bellingham has a higher median financial advisor salary at $106,823/year, compared to Pasco at $101,430/year — a difference of $5,393 (5.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellingham and Pasco?

Bellingham financial advisors earn $51.36/hr while Pasco hygienists earn $48.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bellingham to Pasco as a financial advisor?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellingham and Pasco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellingham = $103,376, Pasco = $94,441), job availability (170 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level financial advisors earn in Bellingham vs Pasco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) financial advisors earn $62,021 in Bellingham and $58,829 in Pasco. The Bellingham area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CFP

Career Analyst

Jordan has over 10 years of experience in financial planning. They specialize in retirement planning for individuals. They work at a financial services firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Sophia Martinez, CFAData verified by Ethan Wang, ChFC

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.30% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov