Salary Guide · 2026
Vermont Salary Guide (2026)
This guide explains how salaries are taxed in Vermont, what take-home pay looks like at different income levels, and how cost of living affects real purchasing power across major cities.
Vermont Income Snapshot
Individual median income
$44,500
-21% vs US median
Household median income
$76,643
US Census ACS 2023
Median take-home (annual)
$36,371
Eff. rate: 18.27%
Median monthly take-home
$3,031
Single filer, 2026
Income Tax Structure in Vermont
Tax system: Progressive state income tax (3.35%–8.75%)
Vermont has a higher progressive income tax. Quality of life, natural beauty, and a tight-knit community appeal to many. Burlington is the largest city and primary employment center, with a small but growing tech sector.
Take-Home Pay at Popular Salary Levels
Single filer · Standard deduction · VT state tax · 2026 IRS brackets
| Gross salary | Federal tax | State tax | FICA | Take-home | Monthly | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $55,000 | $4,494 | $2,155 | $4,208 | $44,143 | $3,679 | 19.74% |
| $85,000 | $10,054 | $4,135 | $6,503 | $64,308 | $5,359 | 24.34% |
| $125,000 | $18,914 | $6,924 | $9,563 | $89,599 | $7,467 | 28.32% |
| $175,000 | $30,914 | $10,724 | $13,388 | $119,974 | $9,998 | 31.44% |
Take-home as % of gross
Housing Affordability in Vermont Cities
Based on $125,000 salary · Rent: HUD FMR 2026 · COL: C2ER/ACCRA
Burlington
COL: 1.28× · 1BR rent: $1,800/mo
Rent burden: 24.1% of take-home
Is $125,000 enough in Burlington? →South Burlington
COL: 1.25× · 1BR rent: $1,750/mo
Rent burden: 23.4% of take-home
Is $125,000 enough in South Burlington? →Rutland
COL: 0.98× · 1BR rent: $1,200/mo
Rent burden: 16.1% of take-home
Is $125,000 enough in Rutland? →Montpelier
COL: 1.05× · 1BR rent: $1,350/mo
Rent burden: 18.1% of take-home
Is $125,000 enough in Montpelier? →Winooski
COL: 1.18× · 1BR rent: $1,600/mo
Rent burden: 21.4% of take-home
Is $125,000 enough in Winooski? →Popular Salary Guides for Vermont
Is This Salary Enough in Vermont?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is $100,000 a good salary in Vermont?
A $100,000 salary in Vermont yields approximately $73,871 per year ($6,156/month) after federal and state taxes. In most Vermont cities, this is above the state individual median of $44,500 — generally a comfortable income.
How much state income tax do you pay in Vermont?
Vermont has Progressive state income tax (3.35%–8.75%). For a $85,000 salary, the estimated state income tax is $4,135. Your effective rate depends on your income level, filing status, and deductions.
What salary is considered middle class in Vermont?
The individual median income in Vermont is $44,500 and the household median is $76,643 (Census ACS 2023). Middle-class income typically ranges from 67%–200% of the household median, roughly $51,351–$153,286 for a family.
Data Sources
- •Tax calculations: IRS federal tax tables
- •Payroll taxes: Social Security Administration
- •Salary data: Bureau of Labor Statistics
- •Rent data: HUD Fair Market Rents
Data updated monthly using government datasets.