.NET Developer Salary in Bellingham: $75,000-$130,000 (2026)

Bellingham's cost of living sits above the US average primarily because of housing. Average one-bedroom rents in central Bellingham typically range from $1,400–$1,900 depending on neighborhood; single-family homes command higher prices and rising mortgage costs increase monthly housing burdens.

For a . NET developer earning the local average (~$100k), rent will often consume 18–25% of gross pay for modest apartments; homeownership requires a larger share.

Commute costs are moderate compared with Seattle: shorter distances and lighter congestion lower fuel and time costs, though cross-border commuting to Vancouver, BC or commutes to I-5 tech hubs add expenses (tolls, higher fuel use, parking). Everyday expenses (groceries, utilities) are somewhat higher than national average but lower than Seattle.

Overall purchasing power for a mid-level . NET developer is reasonable if housing costs are controlled (live slightly outside downtown or share housing); disposable income narrows for junior developers or those buying homes in Bellingham proper.

Salaries for . NET developers in Bellingham reflect a balance of employer type and regional competition.

Major stable employers—Western Washington University and PeaceHealth—hire for enterprise . NET roles (campus systems, EMR integrations) and tend to offer steady mid-market salaries with public or non-profit pay scales.

Medical-device suppliers and components of larger firms (for example operations related to Philips Respironics) demand embedded and backend . NET expertise and can push compensation upward for niche skills (real-time processing, regulated software).

Local digital agencies and consultancies hire full-stack . NET devs for client-driven work but often offer lower base pay offset by variety and learning opportunities.

The city’s smaller tech ecosystem means fewer high-paying series-A+ startups, so some top-tier roles are filled by remote teams out of Seattle or the Bay Area — these employers may pay closer to Seattle rates for senior talent. Overall demand is steady (moderate), driven by healthcare, education and manufacturing tech.

Compared to Seattle, Bellingham pays roughly 20–25% less on average for . NET roles while having a lower—but still above-average—cost of living.

If you prioritize higher pay and frequent hands-on collaboration with large product teams, commuting to or relocating to Seattle or Everett (higher pay, higher COL) can make financial sense, especially for senior engineers seeking rapid salary growth. Seattle: higher salaries (~$130k average) but COL index ~170; remote-capable seniors often prefer Seattle employers for pay.

Everett: intermediate option with some aerospace and enterprise IT roles paying near Seattle levels. Spokane: lower COL and lower salaries (~$85k), better if seeking lower housing costs and a quieter lifestyle.

Remote work has expanded options; many Bellingham-based . NET devs accept remote roles from Seattle/Bay Area employers, capturing higher pay while living near Bellingham’s amenities — consider hybrid schedules if local collaboration is required.

Entry-level (0–2 years): expect roles building CRUD apps, internal tools, and maintaining legacy . NET Framework systems—average starting pay around $70k.

Focus on mastering C#, ASP. NET Core, SQL Server, and DevOps basics (CI/CD, Docker) to be promotable.

Mid-level (3–7 years): after demonstrating ownership of modules, architecture input, and reliable delivery, mid-level devs reach ~$95k; opportunities include backend lead, full-stack roles, or integration specialists for healthcare/medical device projects. Senior (8+ years): seniors with architecture experience, compliance/regulatory knowledge (HIPAA, medical device standards), or leadership can command ~$125k, especially if able to manage teams or lead cross-functional projects.

Accelerators: certification (Azure, Microsoft), domain expertise (healthcare, embedded systems), open-source contributions, or successful consulting project delivery. Lateral moves to Seattle or remote senior roles will accelerate pay; local promotions often favor those who combine technical depth with stakeholder communication.

When negotiating, be specific about comparable local ranges: for a mid-level . NET engineer propose $90k–$105k; seniors should target $115k–$135k depending on domain expertise.

Emphasize Washington advantages (no state income tax) and note that employers often balance base pay with benefits: common local perks include flexible/hybrid schedules, paid continuing education, additional PTO, healthcare plans, and occasional relocation or sign-on bonuses for scarce skills. For roles tied to healthcare or medical devices, highlight compliance experience (HIPAA, IEC 62304) and test coverage/CI practices; these skills can justify a premium.

If employer budgets are tight, negotiate for training stipends, flexible hours, a path to salary review at 6 months, equity or project-based bonuses, and remote/hybrid flexibility to reduce commuting costs. Bring concrete examples of delivered outcomes (reduced lead time, revenue-impacting features) to frame higher asks.