Lawyer Salary in South Burlington, VT: $131,740 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time lawyer in South Burlington, VT earns a median $131,740/year (≈ $63.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-1011). Once you factor in South Burlington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $127,285 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.9% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for lawyers in South Burlington, Vermont, is estimated at $131,740, a figure that reflects significant regional discrepancies when compared to the national median of $167,174. This local salary range spans from $76,409 at the 10th percentile to $204,196 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a wide disparity in earnings for legal professionals in the area. The figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, adjusted for regional cost considerations. The competitive landscape for lawyer pay in South Burlington illustrates distinct divisions among BigLaw firms, mid-market practices, and boutique firms, ultimately shaping the experiences and earnings of legal practitioners in this locale.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,409 | $36.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $94,853 | $45.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,740 | $63.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $168,627 | $81.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,196 | $98.17 |
Median Salary Position
21.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Burlington
In South Burlington, VT, the lawyer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $127,787 (2026 est.). At $131,740, the local median is 21.2% below the national median of $167,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Burlington Lawyer Pay Compares
South Burlington median: $131,740/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $173,114 | -23.90% less |
| National Average | $167,174 | -21.20% less |
Lawyers in South Burlington, VT earn a median of $131,740 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.20% lower than the national median of $167,174 and 23.90% below the Vermont state average of $173,114.
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 $131,740 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $127,285 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,897
2025 BLS Actual
$125,826
2026 Current Est.
$131,740
2019–2027 Growth
+42.3%
Salary Trajectory for Lawyers in South Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,897 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,026 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,861 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,968 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,864 | Actual |
| 2024 | $122,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,826 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,740 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $137,932 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Burlington metropolitan area, the median lawyer salary grew 29.9% from $96,897 (2019) to $125,826 (2025). At a 4.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $137,932 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,035 (42.35%) 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 4.70% 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) | $76,409 – $94,853 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $94,853 – $131,740 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,740 – $168,627 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $168,627 – $204,196 |
Esq salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual lawyer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Lawyer Job Market in South Burlington
Despite the salary constraints, South Burlington's job market comprises a tight-knit community of only four legal professionals, underscoring the sector's limited availability. With a cost of living index of 103.5, earning potential is slightly above the national average but does not correspondingly enhance take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, compensation structures vary widely; while BigLaw firms offer higher salaries potentially exceeding the median, positions in public service, legal aid, or smaller practices typically offer lower pay but may provide student loan forgiveness opportunities and a better work-life balance. The significant gap between lower and higher pay can often be attributed to firm size and tier, billing practices, and the pressures of private sector expectations. Those entering the market may find strategies such as networking within local bar associations or pursuing roles in more lucrative sectors like corporate in-house law to maximize their earnings in this regional context.
More salary data for South Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Chen, JD
Career Analyst
Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.
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 $125,826 for lawyersin the South Burlington metropolitan area. A 4.70% 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 4.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for lawyers (SOC 23-1011).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov