Burlington Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Burlington, VT: $28.85/hr median hourly wage, $60,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 118, and $14.01/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Vermont taxes.
Burlington Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Burlington, VT is $28.85/hr, equivalent to $60,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $17.89/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $40.97/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.01/hr.
Median Salary
$60,000
$28.85/hr
Cost of Living
118
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.01
per hour
Unemployment
2.2%
rate
Burlington, VT Overview
Population
45,236
Median Salary
$60,000
Average Salary
$67,000
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$380,000
Median Rent
$1,600/mo
Job Growth
+1.5%
Sales Tax
7%
Burlington is located in Vermont with a population of 45,236. The median household salary is $60,000 per year ($28.85/hour), which is $616 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.5%.
Burlington Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Burlington, VT based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $60,000 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $37,200 | $17.89/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $60,000 | $28.85/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $85,200 | $40.97/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $106,800 | $51.35/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Burlington Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Burlington, VT, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$46,430
$3,869.17/month · $1,785.77/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.6%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,785.77 take-home per paycheck after estimated Vermont and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$60,000
Federal Tax
-$5,020
State Tax
-$3,960
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,590
Net Pay
$46,430
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,000.00 | $60,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$418.33 | -$5,020.00 |
| Vermont State Tax (6.6%) | -$330.00 | -$3,960.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$310.00 | -$3,720.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$72.50 | -$870.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,869.17 | $46,430.00 |
Salary Comparison: Burlington vs Other Cities
See how Burlington's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington, VT | $60,000 | 118 | $50,847 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Tampa, FL | $60,000 | 102 | $58,824 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $60,000 | 93 | $64,516 |
| Joliet, IL | $60,000 | 90 | $66,667 |
| Kansas City, MO | $60,000 | 90 | $66,667 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Burlington
Burlington's cost of living index is 118 (national average = 100). Living in Burlington is 18% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$380,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,600
Annual Rent Cost
$19,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $46,430 annual take-home pay in Burlington has the purchasing power of approximately $39,347 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $70,800 in Burlington to match a $60,000 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Burlington
Burlington's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $60,000.
Salary Tips for Burlington Workers
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 6.6% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Burlington's top industries include Healthcare, Education, Technology. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $60,000 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Burlington salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Burlington-VT metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Burlington indexed at 118.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Burlington's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $60,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Vermont state income tax (6.6%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Burlington: 2.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Healthcare, Education, Technology — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Vermont.
- Housing context: median home price $380,000, median rent $1,600/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Burlington, VT:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Burlington unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Burlington QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Vermont — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Burlington's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Vermont labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Burlington, VT?
The median hourly wage in Burlington, VT is $28.85 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $60,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $17.89/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $40.97/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Burlington, VT?
The median salary in Burlington, VT is $60,000 per year, or $28.85 per hour. The average salary is $67,000. This is $616 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Burlington, VT?
Burlington's cost of living index is 118 (national average = 100), meaning it is 18% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $380,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,600.
What are the best industries in Burlington?
The top industries in Burlington, VT include Healthcare, Education, Technology. The city has a job growth rate of 1.5% and an unemployment rate of 2.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $60,000.
How does Burlington's salary compare to other cities?
Burlington's median salary of $60,000 is 1.0% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 118), the real purchasing power is approximately $50,847.
What is the minimum wage in Burlington, VT?
The minimum wage in Burlington, VT is $14.01 per hour. This equals approximately $29,141 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $6.76 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.