How much does your teacher get paid? The highest paid jobs in Bellingham and local schools
Teachers in the Bellingham Public School District made as much as $143,397 a year during the 2021 school year, according to data obtained from Washington state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The data has been collected through public records requests by McClatchy to create a salary database that allows you to search public school districts workers’ salaries for the 2020-2021 school year. You can search through it below.
In the Bellingham school district, about 1,700 staff members work to educate approximately 12,000 students across 14 elementary schools, four middle schools and four high schools.
But how does the school district determine teachers’ salaries?
Bellingham Public Schools determines employee salaries based on years of service and level of education, according to Dana Smith, the assistant director of communications at Bellingham Public Schools.
Bellingham Public Schools’ collective bargaining agreements and salary schedules are publicly available online.
The public school district is also experiencing staff shortages, according to Smith:
“Like most school districts, in 2021-2022 we experienced a shortage of available substitute teachers and actively recruited to add to our substitute pool. We have worked diligently this year to increase our substitute pool and recruit for other positions, and are confident that we are beginning the year with qualified teachers in every position.”
Bellingham Public Schools are currently recruiting for positions such as paraeducator, bus driver and food service workers, and those who are interested can call 360-676-6400 or apply online.
Here are some of the Bellingham school district’s highest-paid positions, according to data from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction:
Other Teacher Position — $143,397 a year
Base salary: $107,017
Mandatory benefits: $27,405
Insurance benefits: $12,000
Secondary Teacher — $141,675
Base salary: $107,017
Mandatory benefits: $27,190
Insurance benefits: $12,000
Elementary Homeroom Teacher — $140,505
Base salary: $107,017
Mandatory benefits: $28,156
Insurance benefits: $12,000
Secondary Teacher — $140,422
Base salary: $107,017
Mandatory benefits: $26,848
Insurance benefits: $12,000
Elementary Homeroom Teacher — $139,626
Base salary: $107,017
Mandatory benefits: $26,848
Insurance benefits: $12,000
Whatcom County teacher salaries
As Bellingham’s highest-paid teacher position pays $143,397 a year, how do other school districts in the area compare?
Ferndale’s highest-paid teacher position is a secondary teacher position which pays a total salary of $177,012, according to the salary database.
Lynden’s highest-paid teacher position is also a secondary school teacher and pays a total salary of $132,333 a year.
