What skilled trades pay in Vermont, where the jobs are and how work is changing, from 37 public government sources. The best-paying trade here is electrical lineworker at a $108,520 median. For every trade and metro, start from the Vermont pay page.
How Vermont compares
23 of the 36 trades we track in Vermont pay more than in a typical U.S. metro. The biggest premiums are for telecom equipment installer (+31%), landscaper (+23%) and roofer (+18%), and the biggest gaps for solar installer (-15%) and ironworker (-13%). Prices in Vermont's metros run about 1% above the U.S. average, and a typical 1-bedroom rents for $1,719 a month (U.S. metros: $1,097).
Best-paying trades in Vermont
Statewide median pay, BLS May 2025. The lowest-paying trade we track here is septic & sewer technician at $46,140.
Every trade in Vermont
Statewide medians and jobs, BLS OEWS May 2025. “vs. U.S.” compares with the typical U.S. metro median for the trade.
Where the jobs are
- Carpenter: 3,080 jobs
- Landscaper: 2,700 jobs
- Maintenance Technician: 2,610 jobs
- Auto Mechanic: 1,610 jobs
- Construction Laborer: 1,430 jobs
Unions
13.1% of Vermont workers belong to a union (14.8% are covered by a union contract), compared with about 10% nationally (all jobs, 2025).
Wages and safety
Unpaid wages recovered
Since 2018, the U.S. Labor Department has concluded 24 wage cases against construction employers in Vermont, recovering $250,800 in back wages for 106 workers.offer check and keep your own record of hours.
DOL Wage and Hour Division enforcement data, cases concluded 2018–2026. Counts only; employers aren't named here.
Safety inspections
In 2025, Vermont's state-run safety program and federal OSHA opened 59 inspections of construction worksites in the state. About 34% were set off by a complaint, a referral or an accident (1 after an accident or fatality); the rest were planned spot checks.
OSHA inspection data via the U.S. Department of Labor, construction (NAICS 23), inspections opened in 2025. Counts only.
Storm and disaster rebuild work
Since 2016, the Vermont metros with the most federal major disasters are Burlington (7) (FEMA).
Veterans
Veterans: train on the job with the GI Bill
In Vermont, 145 employers and programs are approved for GI Bill on-the-job training and apprenticeships, across all fields. Veterans in an approved trade apprenticeship can get a monthly housing allowance on top of apprentice pay. Search approved employers with the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, GI Bill Comparison Tool data, October 2026.
Common questions
What is the highest-paying skilled trade in Vermont?
Electrical Lineworker pays the most of the trades we track, with a $108,520 statewide median (BLS, May 2025), followed by construction supervisor and telecom equipment installer.
Which trade has the most jobs in Vermont?
carpenters, with about 3,080 jobs statewide, followed by landscapers and maintenance technicians.
Part of the State of Trade Pay 2026 report. Cite as “PayByTrade, State of Trade Pay in Vermont 2026, payby.trade/report/vt/.”