Accountant Salary in South Burlington, VT: $85,093 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in South Burlington, VT earns a median $85,093/year (≈ $40.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in South Burlington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $82,215 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Burlington, Vermont, the projected median salary for accountants in 2026 is $85,093, slightly lower than the national median of $85,864. The salary range for accountants here varies widely, beginning at $57,677 (P10) and reaching up to $131,895 (P90). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living factors, reflect the ongoing structural divide between positions in large public accounting firms and those within corporate or regional entities. With only four accountants currently employed in South Burlington, the local job market remains competitive, requiring professionals to assess their career moves carefully, especially in a region where compensation is often contingent on the tier of their employer.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,677 | $27.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,778 | $32.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,093 | $40.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,919 | $52.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,895 | $63.41 |
Median Salary Position
0.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Burlington
In South Burlington, VT, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,218 (2026 est.). At $85,093, the local median is 0.9% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Burlington Accountant Pay Compares
South Burlington median: $85,093/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $88,824 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -0.90% less |
Accountants in South Burlington, VT earn a median of $85,093 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.20% below the Vermont state average of $88,824.
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 $85,093 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $82,215 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,908
2025 BLS Actual
$82,929
2026 Current Est.
$85,093
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in South Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,908 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,557 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,163 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,929 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,093 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,314 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Burlington metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $70,908 (2019) to $82,929 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,314 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,406 (23.14%) 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 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) | $57,677 – $67,778 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,778 – $85,093 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,093 – $108,919 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,919 – $131,895 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in South Burlington
Despite the competitive salary figures, the city’s cost of living index sits at 103.5, indicating a slightly higher affordability challenge compared to the national average. This dynamic affects take-home compensation and ultimately influences lifestyle choices for professionals in the area. Among employers, the Big 4 firms tend to offer the highest salaries, but many professionals transition to industry roles that provide substantial annual compensation with more predictable hours. Factors driving the pay differences include the complexity of a CPA license, employers’ tier levels, and the specialization of roles. Accountants may find that pursuing niche areas, such as tax or forensic accounting, can yield premiums. For those aiming to maximize their earning potential in South Burlington, building a robust network and gaining experience during busy seasons can lead to improved job prospects and higher pay in subsequent years.
More salary data for South 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 $82,929 for accountantsin the South 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
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 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