Vermont Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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Vermont firefighter compensation varies by department, schedule, overtime policy, and benefits. This guide breaks down what Vermont firefighters actually earn — from entry-level pay to top-step with overtime — and what shapes take-home pay across the state's major departments.
Based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and department pay scales (BLS mean: $50,820):
Level
Annual Base Pay
Entry-level (probation / step 1)
$40,000–$52,000
Mid-career (5–10 years)
$54,000–$68,000
Top-step Firefighter
$64,000–$80,000
With overtime (realistic)
$74,000–$94,000
Engineer / Driver-Operator
$70,000–$86,000
Captain
$82,000–$104,000
Source: BLS OES May 2023, department HR postings, union contracts. Numbers reflect base pay; total compensation with OT and benefits is higher.
City-by-City Breakdown
Department
Typical Range
Notes
Burlington Fire Department
$52,000–$80,000
Largest city in Vermont and primary career department in the state.
South Burlington Fire
$50,000–$76,000
Burlington suburb; competitive compensation.
Rutland City Fire Department
$44,000–$68,000
Central Vermont; smaller department.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Limited OT in Vermont due to small department sizes. Burlington has the most availability. Winter storms and flooding events create seasonal demand spikes.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments.
Retirement and Pension
Vermont Municipal Employees Retirement System (VMERS). Defined-benefit. Employee contributions around 8.89% of gross pay.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
Vermont has above-average housing costs particularly near Burlington, Stowe ski areas, and the Connecticut River Valley. Vermont has high state income taxes. Rural Vermont is more affordable but lacks career fire departments.
VT Firefighter Career Outlook
Limited career fire departments make Vermont a niche market. Burlington is essentially the only significant career opportunity. High state income taxes and limited OT are the main tradeoffs versus neighboring New Hampshire.
How to Compare Two Vermont Departments
Match the same rank and step (entry vs. 5-year vs. top step).
Confirm the schedule type and how overtime is calculated under your contract.
Get the actual pension contribution rate — not just the benefit formula.
Ask for healthcare premium costs for your coverage tier.
Subtract deductions, then compare take-home against housing costs in that specific city.
Add conservative overtime — use low-end estimates, not maximum scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average firefighter salary in Vermont?
The BLS mean wage for firefighters in Vermont is $50,820. Career firefighters typically earn $54,000–$68,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and department. With realistic overtime, total compensation ranges from $74,000–$94,000.
Do Vermont firefighters get a pension?
Vermont Municipal Employees Retirement System (VMERS). Defined-benefit. Employee contributions around 8.89% of gross pay.
Is Vermont a good state for a firefighter career?
Limited career fire departments make Vermont a niche market. Burlington is essentially the only significant career opportunity. High state income taxes and limited OT are the main tradeoffs versus neighboring New Hampshire.
