Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Vermont: $78,962 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $78,962/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $76,292 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: South Burlington ($76,306), Burlington ($75,920), Bennington ($63,870).
In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Vermont are projected to earn an average median salary of $78,962, which exceeds the national median of $68,071 by 16.0%. The highest-paying city for LPNs is South Burlington, with a salary of $80,655, while Montpelier offers the lowest at $64,888, resulting in a salary gap of $15,767. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas versus rural settings. Vermont has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that govern LPN activities, impacting job responsibilities and salary potential. With a projected growth rate of 5.70%, the job market for LPNs is expected to expand, driven by an aging population and increasing healthcare needs. The top five cities for LPN compensation include Burlington at $80,247, Bennington at $67,511, Brattleboro at $66,747, and Essex Junction at $66,605. The projected employment of 390 LPNs reflects a stable demand for qualified nursing professionals across the state, making Vermont a viable option for those considering a career as a licensed practical nurse.
Vermont Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $52,574 (lowest entry-level) to $101,027 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont licensed practical nurses earn 16.00% more than the national median (+$10,891/year difference).
Vermont Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in Vermont range from $60,921 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $94,749 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $78,962. The Vermont median is $10,891 above the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $37.96/hr. Approximately 390 licensed practical nurses are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,510
2025 BLS Actual
$74,704
2026 Current Est.
$78,962
2019–2027 Growth
+58.9%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Vermont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,409 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,704 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,962 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,463 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 42.3% from $52,510 (2019) to $74,704 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,463 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,953 (58.95%) 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 5.70% 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 | $64,888 |
| Colchester | $65,217 |
| Rutland | $65,291 |
| Barre | $66,515 |
| Essex Junction | $66,605 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $80,247 | 100.949 | $79,493 |
| South Burlington | $80,655 | 103.5 | $77,928 |
| Bennington | $67,511 | 103.5 | $65,228 |
| Brattleboro | $66,747 | 103.5 | $64,490 |
| Essex Junction | $66,605 | 103.5 | $64,353 |
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) | $60,921 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $78,962 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $94,749 |
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 | South Burlington | $80,655 |
| 2 | Burlington | $80,247 |
| 3 | Bennington | $67,511 |
| 4 | Brattleboro | $66,747 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $66,605 |
| 6 | Barre | $66,515 |
| 7 | Rutland | $65,291 |
| 8 | Colchester | $65,217 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $64,888 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in Vermont cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new licensed practical nurses.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for licensed practical nurses in Vermont?
How does Vermont licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in Vermont?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
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 5.70% 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 licensed practical nurse compensation across Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute 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 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov