Salary comparison
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: Bellingham vs Eau Claire
Bellingham, WA pays about 10.8% more for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters on paper — $102,750 vs $92,720. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Bellingham comes out ahead by $10,030 a year in real buying power.
Bellingham, WA
$102,750
$63,500
$144,540
$49.40
100
$102,750/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Eau Claire, WI
$92,720
$63,690
$100,330
$44.58
100
$92,720/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $10,030 a year (10.8%) in favor of Bellingham. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Bellingham runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Eau Claire sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Bellingham is the better deal by $10,030 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Eau Claire to Bellingham for this role, the raise needs to beat 10.8% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters earn more, Bellingham or Eau Claire?
Bellingham pays $102,750 on median — about 10.8% more than Eau Claire ($92,720). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Bellingham. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Bellingham gives you roughly$102,750 of real buying power versus $92,720 in the other city.