Firefighter salary in Vermont
Firefighters in Vermont earn a median of $46,430 a year ($22.32 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $29,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,200 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $59,280. Vermont ranks 40th of 50 states for firefighters pay. The average (mean) salary is $49,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Vermont
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| 25th percentile | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| Median | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| 75th percentile | $59,600 | $28.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,200 | $37.11 |
| Average (mean) | $49,570 | $23.83 |
Half of firefighters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,869.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,934.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,785.77 |
| Weekly | $892.88 |
| Hourly | $22.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Vermont
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $54,990 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
Related jobs in Vermont
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $68,910 | $33.13 |
| Security Guard | $45,550 | $21.90 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,810 | $25.87 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $45,410 | $21.83 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $36,030 | $17.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $99,280 | $47.73 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $106,330 | $51.12 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $83,250 | $40.02 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $67,910 | $32.65 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $65,460 | $31.47 |
| School Bus Monitor | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $81,700 | $39.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $78,110 | $37.56 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $57,490 | $27.64 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Vermont
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a firefighter make in Vermont?
The median salary for firefighters in Vermont is $46,430 a year, or $22.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Vermont?
The top 10% of firefighters in Vermont earn at least $77,200 a year. The top 25% earn $59,600 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Vermont?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,790 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $37,100 or less.