Police Officer Salary in South Burlington, VT: $77,066 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in South Burlington, VT earns a median $77,066/year (≈ $37.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in South Burlington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $74,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Burlington, Vermont, police officers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $77,066 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $78,542 for the same year. The salary range for officers in this locality is quite broad, spanning from $48,461 at the 10th percentile to $112,100 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse compensation based on experience, assignment, and agency type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect local economic conditions and adjustments in the regional cost of living. As the city navigates its law enforcement needs, the pay scales for officers can vary significantly between municipal, county, and federal agencies, with federal positions generally offering the highest salaries.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,461 | $23.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,562 | $28.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,066 | $37.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,673 | $46.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,100 | $53.89 |
Median Salary Position
1.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Burlington
In South Burlington, VT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,639 (2026 est.). At $77,066, the local median is 1.88% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Burlington Police Officer Pay Compares
South Burlington median: $77,066/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $81,293 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -1.88% less |
Police Officers in South Burlington, VT earn a median of $77,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 5.20% below the Vermont state average of $81,293.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Burlington has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,066 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,460 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,963
2025 BLS Actual
$74,778
2026 Current Est.
$77,066
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in South Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,963 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,308 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,396 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,554 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,922 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,778 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,066 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,424 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Burlington metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $61,963 (2019) to $74,778 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,424 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,461 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,461 – $59,562 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,562 – $77,066 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,066 – $97,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,673 – $112,100 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in South Burlington
The local law enforcement job market in South Burlington consists of just four active police officers, which may impact competition for positions and salary negotiations. A cost-of-living index of 103.5 suggests a slightly higher expense for residents than the national average, affecting the purchasing power of annual earnings. Typically, municipal departments offer salaries that are lower compared to federal law enforcement agencies, which tend to attract candidates seeking higher pay, benefits, and retirement plans. Factors influencing the pay spectrum for officers include union contract stipulations, overtime opportunities, and specialized unit assignments. To maximize earning potential in South Burlington, prospective officers should consider seeking best-fit employment within departments offering competitive educational incentives and exploring specialized roles that may yield higher pay.
More salary data for South 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $74,778 for police officersin the South Burlington metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for South Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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