Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Vermont: $51,078 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median certified nursing assistant pay sits at $51,078/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-1131. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $49,351 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: South Burlington ($48,435), Burlington ($48,190), Bennington ($41,912).
In Vermont, the projected average median salary for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in 2026 is $51,077, surpassing the national median of $45,007 by 13.5%. This differential highlights Vermont's unique position within the healthcare sector. The highest paying city is South Burlington, with projected earnings of $51,583, while Montpelier offers the lowest at $42,902, showing a salary gap of $8,681. Factors contributing to this disparity include cost of living variations, demand for healthcare services, and local funding for healthcare facilities. Vermont's CNA landscape is shaped by state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which are designed to ensure quality care. As the population ages and the demand for health services increases, the total number of employed CNAs is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.50%. Key cities for employment opportunities include Burlington at $51,322, Bennington at $44,636, Brattleboro at $44,133, and Essex Junction at $44,038. In this evolving job market, aspiring CNAs can expect a steady demand, with opportunities concentrated in areas with higher pay and robust healthcare systems.
Vermont Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $36,200 (lowest entry-level) to $64,347 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont certified nursing assistants earn 13.49% more than the national median (+$6,071/year difference).
Vermont Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Certified Nursing Assistant salaries in Vermont range from $42,991 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $63,888 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $51,078. The Vermont median is $6,071 above the US national median of $45,007. The average hourly rate is $24.56/hr. Approximately 1,100 certified nursing assistants are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,940
2025 BLS Actual
$47,960
2026 Current Est.
$51,078
2019–2027 Growth
+81.7%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Vermont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,474 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,078 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,398 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 60.2% from $29,940 (2019) to $47,960 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,398 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,458 (81.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermont 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 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Vermont
Lowest Paying Cities in Vermont
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Montpelier | $42,902 |
| Colchester | $43,120 |
| Rutland | $43,169 |
| Barre | $43,978 |
| Essex Junction | $44,038 |
Best Value Cities for Certified Nursing Assistants in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for certified nursing assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $51,322 | 100.949 | $50,840 |
| South Burlington | $51,583 | 103.5 | $49,839 |
| Bennington | $44,636 | 103.5 | $43,127 |
| Brattleboro | $44,133 | 103.5 | $42,641 |
| Essex Junction | $44,038 | 103.5 | $42,549 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Vermont
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,991 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $51,078 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $63,888 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Vermont metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Vermont
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Burlington | $51,583 |
| 2 | Burlington | $51,322 |
| 3 | Bennington | $44,636 |
| 4 | Brattleboro | $44,133 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $44,038 |
| 6 | Barre | $43,978 |
| 7 | Rutland | $43,169 |
| 8 | Colchester | $43,120 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $42,902 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore certified nursing assistant hourly pay in Vermont cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new certified nursing assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced certified nursing assistants.
Explore More Certified Nursing Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do certified nursing assistants make in Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for certified nursing assistants in Vermont?
How does Vermont certified nursing assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level certified nursing assistant salary in Vermont?
How many certified nursing assistants are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont city offers the best value for certified nursing assistants?
Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN
Career Analyst
Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 certified nursing assistant compensation across Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more certified nursing assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov