Salary & Benefits

Entry Level Firefighters: 

Job Title Entry Level Firefighter 
Job Status Full Time 
Work Week 48 hours (24 hour shifts) 
2023 Monthly Starting Salary $7,038 
Annual Salary $84,456 
Probationary Period 12 months 
Benefits Vacation 
Sick Leave 
Retirement- WA State LEOFF and 457 Deferred Compensation
Medical 
Dental 
Vision
Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program 
Prescription drug coverage

Lateral Firefighters: 

Job Title Lateral Firefighter 
Job Status Full Time 
Work Week 48 hours (24 hour shifts) 
2023 Monthly Starting Salary $7,938 
Annual Salary $95,256 
Probationary Period 12 months 
Benefits Vacation 
Sick Leave 
Retirement- WA State LEOFF and 457 Deferred Compensation
Medical 
Dental 
Vision
Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability
Employee Assistance Program 
Prescription drug coverage

Paramedic 

Paramedics receive a salary premium to compensate for their training and expertise. 2023 Paramedic premium is 15.0% of Step 5 Firefighter Salary or $1,339.35/month. 

Specialties 

Various positions at Bellingham Fire Department receive an additional 2% of annual salary compensation for specialty training and positions. These include SWAT Medic, Boat, Hazmat, Truck (Aerial Apparatus) and Acting Captains.  

*Employees are subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, contact Human Resources or email the Bellingham Fire Department directly at Fire@cob.org




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