South Whatcom Fire Authority Salary

South Whatcom Fire Authority Salary

Salaries

Job Openings

Similar Company

Reviews

Overview

FAQ

Recommended HR Topics
Global Market Data Hot Insights on Your Competitors' PayNew Compensation Planning Hot Develop a Job Description Pay Equlity Benefits Consulting
As of May 2026, the average annual salary for employees at South Whatcom Fire Authority in the United States is $88,150. This translates to an approximate hourly wage of $42. Salaries at South Whatcom Fire Authority typically range from $77,084 to $100,868 annually, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company.

How Much Does South Whatcom Fire Authority Pay for Different Roles?

Explore detailed salary information for specific jobs at South Whatcom Fire Authority. Based on our data, the highest paying job is the Chief, with an annual salary of $236,592. The table below outlines the annual salary ranges for most popular roles within the company.
How accurate does the salary look to you?

Current Job Openings at South Whatcom Fire Authority

Ready for your next career move? Explore current job openings at South Whatcom Fire Authority. Use the search tool below to find available positions by title and location and apply directly to start your career.

Is South Whatcom Fire Authority’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does South Whatcom Fire Authority's compensation stack up against the industry and its key competitors? Our salary benchmarking analysis provides a clear comparison. The chart below visualizes this comparison alongside select peer companies.
Competitor / Benchmark Avg. Salary Variance Primary Market Influence Factor & Explanation
Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services $85,027
-3.5%
Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services may offer non-monetary perks in lieu of competitive base salaries.
Eagle Fire Department $79,954
-9.3%
Eagle Fire Department likely leverages performance bonuses over the high base salary shown here.
South Trail Fire $79,342
-10.0%
Normalized for lower cost-of-living zones where South Trail Fire primarily operates.
A-RC-H Fire & Rescue $81,241
-7.8%
Reflects market rates for standard general contracting, differing from specialized roles.
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit Industry $115,341
+30.8%
Pay variances are driven by organizational scale, specialized skill requirements, or geographic cost-of-living factors.
Need More Granular Data? The analysis above provides a high-level market overview. To benchmark specific job codes, adjust for real-time cost-of-living changes, or access verified HR-reported datasets, upgrade to Salary.com for Business. Precision matters when building your compensation strategy.

How South Whatcom Fire Authority's Salaries Compare to Similar Companies?

Explore companies in the same industry to compare average salaries, benefits, and career opportunities with those at South Whatcom Fire Authority. Click a company name to learn more.

Employee Reviews: Working at South Whatcom Fire Authority

Considering a career at South Whatcom Fire Authority? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Colleagues are supportive, collaborative, and passionate about making a difference every day. Timely responses and knowledgeable staff made everything smooth. There are also many internal opportunities for lateral movement or skill building. The work can be repetitive, but it feels worthwhile. Teamwork and collaboration are excellent. While the mission is strong, day-to-day tasks can be tedious. T...
Commented in February 27, 2025
40
3
Simplified complex legislation into actionable steps. Everyone is willing to help, and the structured environment helps you succeed in your role and grow professionally. Supervisors are respectful, and teamwork is prioritized. The company provides extensive training and development programs, enabling employees to build skills and advance careers. Some policies feel outdated or unclear.
Commented in February 12, 2025
41
3
There’s a sense of dedication, though communication is occasionally inconsistent. Easy to collaborate with and very dependable. It’s not the most exciting place to work, but it provides security. Strong mentorship from experienced colleagues. Transparent recommendations.
Commented in November 15, 2024
10
2

South Whatcom Fire Authority Overview

Website
www.swrfa.org
Founded In
2012
Employees
<25 employees
Industry
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit
Headquarter Address
2050 Lake Whatcom Blvd Bellingham Washington WA 98229
Revenue
<$5 Million
Phone Number
+1 3606768080
Social Media
About South Whatcom Fire Authority
South Whatcom Fire Authority is a municipal corporation that is formed under the Revised Code of Washington Title 52. The Fire Authority is its own political entity that has the authority to set boundaries for the purposes of taxing property owners for fire protection services. As a political entity the Fire Authority has its own elected officials known as Fire Commissioners. The Fire Commissioner

What Benefits Does South Whatcom Fire Authority Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. South Whatcom Fire Authority offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
Work at South Whatcom Fire Authority?
Share your experience
How Much Should You Be Earning?

Get an estimated calculation of how much you should be earning and insight into your career options.

Get estimated pay range See more details
illustration

What Is the Cost of Living Near Bellingham?

Understanding the cost of living near Bellingham is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at South Whatcom Fire Authority.
Bellingham's Cost of Living Index is approximately 117.8 (17.8% more expensive than US average; 5.6% more than WA average). NW WA coastal city (WWU), desirable, near Canada, housing costs high. WTA bus. When planning your budget based on a salary from South Whatcom Fire Authority, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $1,500 - $2,200+ A significant portion of South Whatcom Fire Authority salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $100 - $190 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $30 (WTA monthly pass, free for WWU) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $440 - $660 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $430 - $780+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $390 - $720+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,890 - $4,550+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of South Whatcom Fire Authority

1. How much does a South Whatcom Fire Authority employee make?

South Whatcom Fire Authority pays its employees an average of $88,150 per year. The average salary at South Whatcom Fire Authority range from $77,084 to $100,868 per year. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. Which similar company tend to pay more or less than South Whatcom Fire Authority?

The salary at South Whatcom Fire Authority is higher than the similar company. The average annual salary at South Whatcom Fire Authority is $88,150, or an hourly wage of $42, in comparison to Clayton County Fire & Emergency Services which pays $85,027 per year or $41 per hour.

3. How much does a Chief typically earn at South Whatcom Fire Authority?

A Chief at South Whatcom Fire Authority typically earns an average annual base salary of around $236,592, with a general range of $190,747 to $284,131.

4. Do employees with advanced degrees (Master's, PhD) earn more at South Whatcom Fire Authority?

In many roles at South Whatcom Fire Authority, particularly those requiring specialized knowledge or research capabilities (e.g., certain engineering, scientific, or financial roles), an advanced degree like a Master's or PhD can lead to a higher starting salary and faster career progression, thus higher earnings. However, for some roles, direct experience and skills might be valued as much or more than an advanced degree. The impact varies by field and specific job requirements.

5. How does the cost of living near Bellingham affect the perceived value of a South Whatcom Fire Authority salary?

Bellingham's Cost of Living Index is approximately 117.8 (17.8% more expensive than US average; 5.6% more than WA average). This significantly impacts the purchasing power of a salary from South Whatcom Fire Authority based there. Our "Cost of Living Insights for Bellingham" module details this impact, helping you assess the 'real feel' value of your compensation.

6. What kind of benefits does South Whatcom Fire Authority typically offer employees?

South Whatcom Fire Authority generally offers a range of employee benefits designed to support their workforce's health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision), a 401(k) retirement savings plan (often with a company match), paid time off (PTO), and potentially disability and life insurance are included. For a more detailed list of benefits, please see our "Employee Benefits at South Whatcom Fire Authority" section on this page.

For Employer

What Should I Pay?

The trusted data and intuitive software your organization needs to get pay right.

Explore CompAnalyst ®
Looking for Accurate Salary Data?

Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right.

Surveys & Data Sets
Unlock Intelligence on Your Competitors' Salaries Across 35 Countries

Real-time global intelligence that empowers you to make competitive pay decisions and align offers with global trends.

SalaryIQTM
The Only Compensation System That Helps You EXCEL.

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning