Entry-Level Police Officer Salary in Burlington, VT: $57,291 (2026)
Quick Answer:New police officers entering the Burlington, VT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $57,291 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 33-3051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $56,752 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($76,677) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the starting salary for new police officers in 2026 is projected at $57,291. This figure places entry-level positions below the city median of $76,677, revealing a significant gap that early-career officers will need to bridge over time. As new graduates build their experience, it’s realistic for their compensation to grow towards the 25th percentile level of $63,104 within the first few years, putting them on a trajectory toward the median salary as they gain skills and seniority. The projected annual growth rate of 3.06% suggests a gradually improving financial outlook for those entering the field, making Burlington a moderately competitive market for new police officers in 2026.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
Entry-level police officers in Burlington, VT typically start between $57,291 and $63,104 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $43,306 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $76,677 — 2.37% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average law enforcement program cost in Vermont of $7,000 represents just 12.22% of the starting police officer pay ($57,291/year) in Burlington. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Cost estimates cover police academy tuition (often paid by hiring department), physical/psychological testing fees, and optional associate degree in criminal justice. Many large departments sponsor recruits and pay them during academy training.
PO Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level police officer pay ranges from $57,291 to $63,104, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the law enforcement field — employers in VT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Police Officer Compensation Range
The police officer wage spread in Burlington is $43,306 ( 75.59%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $57,291, experienced hygienists can earn up to $100,597.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,960
2025 BLS Actual
$55,590
2026 Current Est.
$57,291
2019–2027 Growth
+64.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,960 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,590 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,291 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,044 | Projected |
Entry-level police officer compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, VT grew 54.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $35,960 in 2019 to $55,590 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,044. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your law enforcement Career in Burlington
Entry-level opportunities for police officers in Burlington primarily arise from local municipal departments, which often require recruits to complete the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. This program typically lasts 6-9 months and is essential for entering the force. While federal agencies like the FBI have more stringent hiring requirements—requiring experience and a bachelor’s degree—there are positions in campus and transit police departments that serve as excellent stepping stones. New officers with a high school diploma and POST certification can start building their careers, but those who pursue continued education or specialty certifications may enhance their starting pay and future opportunities. Realistically, first-year salaries can vary significantly based on department budgets, with potential salary growth in the subsequent years influenced not only by personal performance but also by the broader regional pay disparities seen across different areas, from urban departments to state police agencies.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new law enforcement graduates. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov