These jobs pay a living wage with minimal requirements in Whatcom County, where to apply
Finding a job with minimal requirements that pays enough for you and your family to live off of can be difficult.
When you factor in the rising costs of rent, utilities, increasing local grocery prices and other necessities, jobs that pay a low wage cannot cover basic living expenses.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology calculated the living wage by county in May 2022. MIT evaluated typical expenses to find how much an individual must make hourly to support themselves, or multiple dependents in a full-time job.
MIT records living wages for individuals, couples and families that vary based on the number of children or dependents and the number of adults who are working, according to previous reporting in The Bellingham Herald:
Whatcom County’s living wage for an individual with no dependents is $16.95 an hour, working full time.
▪ For a household with two adults, no children, and only one individual working, a living wage in Whatcom County is $25.43 an hour.
▪ For a household with two adults, no children and both adults working, the living wage is $12.71 an hour.
▪ For a household with two adults, one child, and only one adult working, the living wage is $30.57 an hour. If this household had two children the livable wage would be $35.89 an hour.
▪ For a household with two adults and two children and both adults working, the living wage is $23.54 an hour. If the family had three children, both individuals would need to make $28.80 an hour.
The Bellingham Herald has searched Indeed and LinkedIn to find job positions with minimal requirements that are available as of Wednesday, Nov. 9.
Here are a few jobs with minimal requirements that advertise wages at or above living wages:
▪ Multiple cities in Whatcom County.
▪ Part-time or full-time.
▪ $19-$33 per hour, benefits available.
▪ No requirements listed.
Medical Receptionist at Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
▪ Bellingham, WA.
▪ Full-time.
▪ $20-$22 an hour, benefits available.
▪ Requirements: receptionist experience and an understanding of basic medical and dental insurance.
Early Learning Assistant at Boys & Girls Club of Whatcom County
▪ Bellingham, WA.
▪ Full-time.
▪ $17-$18 an hour.
▪ No educational requirements listed.
Chocolate Maker at K’ul Foods LLC
▪ Bellingham, WA.
▪ Full-time.
▪ $18 an hour.
▪ Requirements: experience working in food manufacturing, ability to work 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Bank teller and customer service representative at WaFd Bank
▪ Bellingham, WA.
▪ Full-time.
▪ Estimated salary of $28,300 - $35,900 annually, or about $13.60-$17.25 an hour.
▪ Requirements: a high school diploma or approved equivalent, customer service experience, communication skills, and ability to use technical programs and devices.
