Vermont Firefighter Salary (2026) – City Breakdown, Overtime & Real Take-Home
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Vermont has one of the smallest career fire-department markets in the country, concentrated almost entirely around Burlington. This guide breaks down what Vermont firefighters actually earn — from entry-level pay to top-step with overtime — and what shapes take-home pay in a state where career opportunities are limited but competitive.
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Vermont Firefighter Salary — Quick Numbers (2026)
Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median firefighter wage at $59,530 (May 2024, the most recent OEWS data published). Job-posting data compiled across Vermont in 2026 shows the statewide average firefighter salary at $63,377, actually above the national figure — largely because Vermont's tiny career-firefighter market is concentrated in and around Burlington, where recent contract updates have pushed entry pay well past where it sat a few years ago.
| Level | Annual Base Pay |
|---|---|
| Entry-level (academy / probation) | $58,000–$67,000 |
| Mid-career (5–10 years) | $66,000–$76,000 |
| Top-step Firefighter | $74,000–$87,000 |
| With overtime (realistic) | $82,000–$100,000 |
| Firefighter/Paramedic (10% cert. premium) | $80,000–$95,000 |
| Captain / Lieutenant | $85,000–$105,000 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024 national estimates, ZipRecruiter and Salary.com Vermont job-posting data (2026), official City of Burlington and City of South Burlington job postings, and IAFF/BFFA union contracts. Numbers reflect base pay; certification premiums and overtime add on top.
City-by-City Breakdown
| Department | Typical Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington Fire Department | $60,708–$66,779 entry (2026 posting) → $87,000+ with certifications and step increases | Largest city in Vermont and the state's primary career department. Unique 48/96 shift schedule (48 hours on, 96 off). Lateral-hire firefighters with prior career experience can start between $66,293–$79,485 depending on years of service credited. Add 4% for Advanced EMT or 10% for Paramedic certification. |
| South Burlington Fire Department | $50,000–$76,000 | Burlington suburb; roughly 5,100 calls a year across two stations. Recently moved to a 24-on/48-off schedule with a Kelly Day every 7th shift, cutting annual hours worked by about 416 — a real quality-of-life upgrade worth factoring in alongside base pay. IAFF Local 3671; VMERS-C pension tier. |
| Rutland City Fire Department | $44,000–$68,000 | Central Vermont; smaller department with fewer annual openings than the Burlington-area departments. Confirm current step pay directly with the city, as a fully public current pay table wasn't available at time of writing. |
City figures combine official department job postings (Burlington, South Burlington) and 2026 job-market data (ZipRecruiter, Salary.com, Indeed) where a fully public current step table wasn't available. Vermont's career-firefighter market is small and pay scales move quickly between contract cycles — always confirm exact numbers on the department's own hiring page before comparing offers.
Overtime and Premium Pay
Overtime is limited across most of Vermont simply because career departments are small, but Burlington's unusual 48/96 shift schedule creates its own overtime dynamics around coverage gaps. Advanced EMT and Paramedic certification premiums (4% and 10% respectively at Burlington) function as a reliable form of add-on pay that doesn't depend on call volume, and are worth pursuing early in a Vermont firefighting career. Winter storms and periodic flooding events create seasonal demand spikes statewide.
Use the Salary Comparison Tool to model different overtime assumptions before comparing departments — treat any overtime figure as a range, not a guarantee.
Retirement and Pension
Vermont career firefighters participate in the Vermont Municipal Employees' Retirement System (VMERS), a defined-benefit plan with several contribution tiers depending on the group and benefit structure a department has adopted (South Burlington, for example, uses the VMERS-C tier). Employee contribution rates have historically run in the high single digits of gross pay, but exact rates vary by group and can change with VMERS rate-setting — confirm the current tier and contribution rate with the specific department's HR office rather than assuming a single statewide number.
Cost of Living — What Your Salary Actually Buys
Vermont has above-average housing costs, particularly around Burlington, the Stowe ski corridor, and parts of the Connecticut River Valley. Vermont also levies a state income tax, which takes a real bite out of the above-national-average salaries Burlington and South Burlington now offer. Rural Vermont is considerably more affordable, but it also has essentially no career fire departments — the trade-off in this state runs the opposite direction from most: the higher-paying jobs are also in the higher-cost areas.
How to Compare Two Vermont Departments
- Match the same rank and step (entry vs. 5-year vs. top step) — comparing an entry rate at one department to a top-step rate at another isn't a fair comparison.
- Confirm the shift schedule — Burlington's 48/96 and South Burlington's newer 24/48 with a Kelly Day meaningfully change annual hours worked, not just the paycheck.
- Get the actual VMERS tier and contribution rate — not just the general benefit formula.
- Ask for healthcare premium costs for your specific coverage tier.
- Factor in Vermont state income tax and subtract deductions before comparing take-home against housing costs in that specific city.
- Add certification premiums (AEMT, Paramedic) where offered — they're often more predictable than overtime in Vermont's smaller departments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average firefighter salary in Vermont?
Job-posting data across Vermont in 2026 puts the statewide average firefighter salary at $63,377, above the national BLS median of $59,530 (May 2024). Career firefighters typically earn $66,000–$76,000 in base pay depending on rank, step, and certifications, and Burlington's 2026 entry-level postings start between $60,708 and $66,779. With realistic overtime and certification premiums, total compensation can range from $82,000–$100,000.
Do Vermont firefighters get a pension?
Yes. Vermont career firefighters participate in the Vermont Municipal Employees' Retirement System (VMERS), a defined-benefit plan with several tiers depending on the department and group. Contribution rates vary by tier, so confirm the current rate directly with the specific department's HR office.
Is Vermont a good state for a firefighter career?
Vermont is a niche market with very few career fire departments — Burlington and its immediate suburbs are essentially the only significant career opportunities in the state. Recent pay increases have pushed Burlington-area salaries above the national average, but Vermont's state income tax and above-average housing costs offset a meaningful part of that gain, and job openings are infrequent compared to larger states.
Interested in working as a firefighter in Vermont? See our becoming a firefighter guide — requirements, CPAT, written exam, and academy explained step by step.
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