Average RN Salary in Vermont: See How Much VT Nurses Make

Known for its beautiful landscapes and friendly population, Vermont has a reputation for being a great place to live and work. Vermont residents enjoy a desirable quality of life removed from the hustle and bustle of the more populated states. The Green Mountain state also offers a stable economy, low unemployment rates, and good schools and healthcare.

If you are a registered nurse (RN), or are thinking about becoming one, continue reading to learn more about career prospects and RN salaries in Vermont.

Source:BLS

Vermont RNs earn an average annual salary of $75,160, or $36.13 an hour. When considering a nursing career in Vermont, keep in mind that compensation levels vary considerably by factors, such as type of employer and years of experience. The lowest-paid RNs in the state, those in the bottom 10th percentile, make $59,640 a year or less, while the top 10% earn $98,030 and above.

Job growth for Vermont RNs falls below the national average, projected to increase by only 8% from 2018 to 2028. However, a hiring report by theVermont Talent Pipeline Management projects the addition of over 6,200 vacancies for healthcare workers between 2021 and 2023, with RN positions making up almost half of need.

Trends that fuel the demand for RNs in Vermont include anticipated retirements, nurse burnout due to COVID-19, and the need for medical services, including home healthcare for the state’s aging population. Vermont nursing programs do not graduate enough nurses to keep up with the projected demand. Although the nursing shortage has not impacted Vermont as strongly as it has other states, Vermont’s RNs can expect continuing employment opportunities.

Source:BLS

Vermont’s cost-of-living index provides a good indication of how much an RN needs to make to live and work in the state. This measure adjusts earnings to regional price parity (RPP) based on the costs of necessities, such as food, housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.

Ranking 19th among all 50 states, Vermont’s cost-of-living index of 99.3 falls slightly below the U.S. average of 100. When adjusted for cost of living, RN salaries in Vermont rank 35th among all fifty states. The adjusted annual RN salary of $75, 686 is more than $7,000 below the national average of $82,750.

For RNs considering job opportunities, Vermont offers an affordable quality of life characterized by reasonable housing prices compared to nearby New England states, low unemployment rates, and quality schools and healthcare services.

The Burlington metropolitan area, the state’s only urban center, pays the top RN salaries in the state. Located on the shore of Lake Champlain and offering spectacular views of the Adirondack Mountains, this region of Vermont offers its residents an appealing lifestyle. In addition to its many recreational and cultural attractions, Burlington boasts a low crime rate and growing economy.

The highly regarded University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington provides quality healthcare access and a major source of employment opportunities for healthcare professionals, including RNs.

Vermont’s status as aNurse Licensure Compact (NLC) member benefits RNs who graduate from the state’s nursing schools. The NLC allows RNs to acquire multistate licenses to work in other member states, including neighboring New Hampshire, without the burden of additional fees or paperwork.

Source:BLS

Vermont’s nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses/licensed vocational nurses (LPN/LVNs) earn considerably less than RNs who have either an associate degree or a bachelor of science in nursing. RNs who pursue graduate degrees can earn even higher salaries and advance their career prospects.

Nurse midwives and nurse practitioners need at least a master of science in nursing degree to practice, while nurse anesthetists need at least a doctor of nursing practice. These advanced practice registered nurse roles pay well over six figures, much higher than the average annual salary for Vermont’s RNs. Vermont nurse anesthetists make over $120,000 more a year than RNs.

Source:BLS