Police Officer Salary in Vermont: $76,663 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $76,663/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,071 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bennington ($75,583), South Burlington ($74,778), Brattleboro ($74,729).
The average median salary for police officers in Vermont is projected to be $76,663 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $78,542, indicating a difference of -2.4%. The salary range across different cities showcases distinct variations; the highest-paying city, Bennington, offers $77,896, while Montpelier provides the lowest at $74,870, resulting in a salary gap of $3,026. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for law enforcement services, and available municipal budgets. Vermont's police officers must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing training that adheres to state agency standards. Furthermore, scope of practice laws may dictate the responsibilities that officers can undertake, potentially influencing salary levels based on local needs. With a projected growth rate of 3.06% annually, the job market for police officers in Vermont appears stable. The total employment for this role currently sits at 430 officers across the state. Cities like South Burlington, Brattleboro, Essex Junction, and Barre present salaries close to the state average, indicating a consistent demand for public safety professionals. As communities continue to invest in public safety, job opportunities for police officers in Vermont are expected to remain strong.
Vermont Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $48,461 (lowest entry-level) to $112,100 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont police officers earn 2.39% less than the national median ($-1,879/year difference).
Vermont Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Vermont range from $56,596 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $101,370 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,663. The Vermont median is $1,879 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $36.86/hr. Approximately 430 police officers are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,240
2025 BLS Actual
$74,387
2026 Current Est.
$76,663
2019–2027 Growth
+45.7%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Vermont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,799 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,387 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,663 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 37.1% from $54,240 (2019) to $74,387 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,769 (45.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermont 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Vermont
Lowest Paying Cities in Vermont
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Montpelier | $74,870 |
| Colchester | $75,248 |
| Rutland | $75,334 |
| Burlington | $76,677 |
| Barre | $76,747 |
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $76,677 | 100.949 | $75,956 |
| Bennington | $77,896 | 103.5 | $75,262 |
| South Burlington | $77,066 | 103.5 | $74,460 |
| Brattleboro | $77,016 | 103.5 | $74,412 |
| Essex Junction | $76,850 | 103.5 | $74,251 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Vermont
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $56,596 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $76,663 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $101,370 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Vermont metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Vermont
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington | $77,896 |
| 2 | South Burlington | $77,066 |
| 3 | Brattleboro | $77,016 |
| 4 | Essex Junction | $76,850 |
| 5 | Barre | $76,747 |
| 6 | Burlington | $76,677 |
| 7 | Rutland | $75,334 |
| 8 | Colchester | $75,248 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $74,870 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore police officer hourly pay in Vermont cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Vermont?
How does Vermont police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Vermont?
How many police officers are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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