What this means Our calculation
22 of 28 trades here pay more than the typical U.S. metro; the best-paid is construction supervisors at $84,790. Prices run 1% above the U.S. average, so a paycheck here is worth about the same than the same dollars elsewhere. For the wider job market, unemployment is lower than most metros (2.4%) and the population is growing slowly (+0.9% since 2020).
Highest-paying trades in Burlington Government data
All 28 trades
Vs. U.S. compares with the typical metro for that trade. Jobs are employment estimates, not open positions. Click a column to sort.
| Trade | Median pay | Vs. U.S. | Real pay | Jobs | U.S. rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Supervisor | $84,790 | +10% | $83,993 | 370 | #85 |
| Telecom Equipment Installer | $81,800 | +31% | $81,031 | 120 | #15 |
| Telecom Line Installer | $74,840 | +13% | $74,136 | 60 | #101 |
| Building Inspector | $68,450 | +2% | $67,807 | 60 | #161 |
| HVAC Technician | $68,430 | +15% | $67,787 | 480 | #55 |
| Plumber | $67,450 | +10% | $66,816 | 470 | #120 |
| Electrician | $66,860 | +7% | $66,231 | 470 | #148 |
| Welder | $63,460 | +21% | $62,863 | 140 | #24 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $63,250 | -1% | $62,655 | 310 | #215 |
| Carpenter | $62,790 | +12% | $62,200 | 900 | #87 |
| Concrete Finisher | $62,520 | +9% | $61,932 | 120 | #71 |
| Brickmason | $62,060 | -1% | $61,477 | 40 | #82 |
| Drywall Installer | $61,500 | +14% | $60,922 | 60 | #44 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $61,170 | +1% | $60,595 | 210 | #162 |
| Glazier | $61,110 | +11% | $60,536 | 80 | #46 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $60,800 | -1% | $60,228 | 230 | #146 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator | $60,000 | +1% | $59,436 | 330 | #189 |
| Painter | $58,670 | +23% | $58,118 | 150 | #45 |
| Auto Body Repairer | $58,380 | +13% | $57,831 | 150 | #73 |
| Maintenance Technician | $58,170 | +20% | $57,623 | 950 | #28 |
| Auto Mechanic | $57,580 | +18% | $57,039 | 660 | #74 |
| Tile Setter | $55,890 | +11% | $55,365 | 40 | #47 |
| Construction Laborer | $49,940 | +7% | $49,471 | 460 | #125 |
| Machinist | $49,860 | -13% | $49,391 | 70 | #295 |
| Septic & Sewer Technician | $49,160 | -4% | $48,698 | 50 | #88 |
| Hazmat Removal Worker | $46,780 | -3% | $46,340 | 50 | #89 |
| Landscaper | $46,730 | +24% | $46,291 | 600 | #19 |
| Pest Control Technician | $45,280 | +2% | $44,854 | 50 | #89 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Living costs & homes Government data
Homes in Burlington
The Burlington area has about 105,823 homes. 45% were built before 1980 (typical metro 45%), so its housing is about as old as most; 15% were built in 2010 or later. 68% of households own their home, and the median home value is $438,100.
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table DP04).
Working outdoors in Burlington Government data
In an average year, Burlington has 8 days at 90°F or hotter (fewer than most metros; typical metro 33), 145 nights below freezing (typical 90) and 82 days with a tenth of an inch of rain or more, and 88 inches of snow. Summer afternoons average 80°F and winter nights 16°F. That matters for outdoor trades: heat and freezes shape the working season and the hours.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 averages, Burlington International Airport, VT station. Compare cities on outdoor work weather.
Job market & growth Government data
Unemployment
2.4% in 2025 (typical metro 4.1%), all workers.
BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2021–2025.
Population
The Burlington area's population grew 0.9% from 2020 to 2025 (225,730 → 227,803), ranking #256 of 387 metros for growth (typical metro +2.5%). People moving in (net +1,874) account for most of the change.
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year, 2020–2025.
New homes permitted
New-home permits in Burlington are up 20% from 2021 to 2025 (1,049 → 1,258). Permits signal construction activity, not open jobs.
Census Building Permits Survey, 2021–2025.
Getting to work
The average commute in the Burlington area is 22 minutes each way, shorter than the typical metro (24 min). 8% of commuters spend 45 minutes or more. 65% drive alone, 2% take transit and 16% work from home (all workers, not just trades).
Census American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates (table S0801).
Licensing in Vermont Official source
The main state licensing office in Vermont is the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation. It can point you to the right license for skilled trades.
Official Vermont licensing site ↗
Requirements for skilled trades vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Union membership
In 2025, 13.1% of wage and salary workers in Vermont were union members, above the U.S. rate of about 10% (#12 of 51 states and D.C.), and 14.8% were covered by a union contract. These figures cover all jobs in the state, not only the trades.
BLS Union Members, 2025 (Current Population Survey), table 5.
Nearby metros
Compare any trade in two cities with city vs. city, or see every metro in Vermont.