Accountant Salary in Burlington, VT: $84,664 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Burlington, VT earns a median $84,664/year (≈ $40.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $83,868 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Vermont state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Burlington, Vermont, can anticipate a median annual salary of $84,664, which is slightly below the national average of $85,864. The salary range for this profession in the area is quite diverse, spanning from $62,572 at the lower end (10th percentile) to as high as $134,019 for those at the top of the pay scale (90th percentile). These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, demonstrating both the local market's competitiveness and the potential for varied income levels based on experience and specialization. The current public-to-industry transition trends further shape salaries, as many professionals move from public accounting roles to industry positions, often seeking better compensation as they gain experience.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,572 | $30.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,606 | $33.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,664 | $40.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,739 | $49.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,019 | $64.43 |
Median Salary Position
1.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, VT, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,447 (2026 est.). At $84,664, the local median is 1.4% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Accountant Pay Compares
Burlington median: $84,664/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $88,839 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -1.40% less |
Accountants in Burlington, VT earn a median of $84,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.40% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.70% below the Vermont state average of $88,839.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 0.95% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 100.949 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,664 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,868 — a 0.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$71,310
2025 BLS Actual
$82,510
2026 Current Est.
$84,664
2019–2027 Growth
+21.8%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,664 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,873 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 15.7% from $71,310 (2019) to $82,510 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,873 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,563 (21.82%) from 2019.
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 2.61% 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) | $62,572 – $70,606 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,606 – $84,664 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,664 – $103,739 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,739 – $134,019 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Burlington
The local job market for accountants in Burlington is robust, with approximately 1,040 professionals employed in the field. Despite a cost of living index of 100.949, which suggests that living expenses are slightly above the national average, accountants still find opportunities for advancement and higher earnings. Employers such as the Big 4 public accounting firms typically offer the highest salaries, followed closely by regional CPA firms and industry roles, particularly in financial controller positions. The spread in salaries can be attributed to factors like CPA licensure, firm tiering, specialty in fields like tax or forensic accounting, and the bustling busy season that often results in overtime compensation at public firms. For those looking to maximize accountant pay in Burlington, pursuing licensure, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and transitioning into corporate accounting roles can yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
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 $82,510 for accountantsin the Burlington metropolitan area. A 2.61% 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
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 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov