Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Vermont 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Vermont registered nurses earn an average of $74,200 per year in 2026. Despite being a small state, Vermont's high quality of life, single academic medical center anchoring Chittenden County, and statewide rural shortage incentives make it competitive for nurses seeking a lifestyle-focused career in the Northeast.
Vermont RN Salary by City (2026)
| City | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| South Burlington | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Rutland | $72,000 | $34.62 |
| Barre / Montpelier | $71,500 | $34.38 |
| St. Johnsbury | $70,000 | $33.65 |
| Brattleboro | $70,500 | $33.89 |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Vermont
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $212,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $87,500 |
| ER / Emergency RN | $85,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $83,000 |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $79,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $73,000 |
Top Employers in Vermont
- UVM Medical Center (University of Vermont), Burlington; Vermont's only Level I trauma center and academic medical center; highest nursing wages in the state
- Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland; largest community hospital in VT outside Burlington metro
- Central Vermont Medical Center (UVM Health), Barre; part of UVM Health Network
- Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, St. Johnsbury; rural Northeast Kingdom critical access hospital
- Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Brattleboro; southern VT community hospital
NLC Compact Status
Vermont is a full NLC compact member. RNs with a Vermont multistate license may practice in any compact state. Vermont's compact membership is particularly useful for nurses near the New Hampshire and New York borders, though New York is NOT a compact member.
Vermont RN Market Outlook
Vermont has one of the oldest populations in New England, driving above-average per-capita healthcare demand. Rural Vermont communities have significant HPSA-designated areas with NHSC loan repayment eligibility. Travel RN rates in Burlington run $1,650-$2,050/week. Vermont's high quality of life makes it competitive for nurses who prioritize lifestyle over maximum compensation.
Related: RN Salary New Hampshire 2026, RN Salary Maine 2026, Vermont RN License Guide.
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