Registered Nurse Salary in Vermont: $103,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $103,512/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $100,012 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: South Burlington ($98,830), Burlington ($98,330), Bennington ($96,747).
In Vermont, the average median salary for registered nurses in 2026 is projected to be $103,512, which is slightly above the national median of $102,730, reflecting a 0.8% increase. The highest-paying city in the state is South Burlington, where nurses can expect to earn $104,078, while Montpelier offers the lowest average salary at $97,927, creating a salary gap of $6,151 between these two locations. Differences in salary are likely driven by variations in cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in these areas. The job market for registered nurses in Vermont remains strong, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.31%. Factors contributing to the demand include an aging population and increased focus on healthcare access. Vermont's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws are generally standard, aligning with national norms, which facilitates mobility for nurses. A total of 3,190 registered nurses are employed across the state, with top cities like Burlington, Bennington, Brattleboro, and Essex Junction also offering competitive salaries of $103,551, $101,884, $100,733, and $100,517 respectively. This landscape indicates promising employment opportunities for registered nurses in Vermont.
Vermont Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $72,332 (lowest entry-level) to $141,478 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont registered nurses earn 0.76% more than the national median (+$782/year difference).
Vermont Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in Vermont range from $84,331 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $132,803 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,512. The Vermont median is $782 above the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $49.77/hr. Approximately 3,190 registered nurses are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$66,580
2025 BLS Actual
$98,293
2026 Current Est.
$103,512
2019–2027 Growth
+63.7%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Vermont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,230 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,586 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,293 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 47.6% from $66,580 (2019) to $98,293 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,429 (63.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermont metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Vermont
Lowest Paying Cities in Vermont
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Montpelier | $97,927 |
| Colchester | $98,423 |
| Rutland | $98,534 |
| Barre | $100,381 |
| Essex Junction | $100,517 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $103,551 | 100.949 | $102,578 |
| South Burlington | $104,078 | 103.5 | $100,558 |
| Bennington | $101,884 | 103.5 | $98,439 |
| Brattleboro | $100,733 | 103.5 | $97,327 |
| Essex Junction | $100,517 | 103.5 | $97,118 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Vermont
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $84,331 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $103,512 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $132,803 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Vermont metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Vermont
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Burlington | $104,078 |
| 2 | Burlington | $103,551 |
| 3 | Bennington | $101,884 |
| 4 | Brattleboro | $100,733 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $100,517 |
| 6 | Barre | $100,381 |
| 7 | Rutland | $98,534 |
| 8 | Colchester | $98,423 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $97,927 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore registered nurse hourly pay in Vermont cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in Vermont?
How does Vermont registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in Vermont?
How many registered nurses are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont city offers the best value for registered nurses?
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov