Data Analyst in South Burlington, VT

The Salary Picture: Where South Burlington Stands

As a local, I can tell you that South Burlington isn't a sprawling metropolis for data analysts, but it's a surprisingly stable, high-value niche. The data reflects this: the median salary for a Data Analyst in South Burlington is $83,360/year, which aligns perfectly with the national average of $83,360/year. This is noteworthy because the cost of living here (index of 100.0) is right at the national average, making it a financially sensible, if not exceptionally lucrative, market.

The hourly rate is $40.08/hour, which is a solid figure for a professional. The key metric here is the 10-year job growth of 36%, significantly outpacing the national average for data roles. With only 40 jobs in the metro area, you're looking at a tight-knit market where networking is everything. You're not competing with thousands, but you also have fewer openings to choose from.

Let's break down the salary expectations by experience level. While local data is sparse, we can extrapolate from national trends and the local median.

Experience Level	Estimated Local Salary Range	Context in South Burlington
Entry-Level	$60,000 - $72,000	Typically at UVM Medical Center or small tech firms. You'll be doing more reporting and basic SQL than complex modeling.
Mid-Level (1-4 years)	$70,000 - $90,000	The sweet spot. This is where the median falls. You'll be building dashboards, running queries, and owning projects for local employers.
Senior (5-8 years)	$90,000 - $110,000	Leads projects, mentors juniors, works closely with leadership. Top end is at places like Dealer.com or the University of Vermont.
Expert/Lead	$110,000+	At this level, you're in a management track or a principal analyst. Very few roles exist locally; remote work is common for this tier.

Compared to other Vermont cities, South Burlington is competitive. Burlington (the city proper) might offer slightly more variety but similar pay. Montpelier (the state capital) has government roles that pay consistently but rarely break the six-figure mark. Rutland and Barre are smaller markets with lower salaries. South Burlington's edge is its corporate presence (tech, healthcare) which can offer better benefits and growth than purely government roles.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The median salary of $83,360 sounds good on paper, but let's get real about what that means in Chittenden County. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, your take-home pay will be roughly $62,000 to $64,000 annually, or about $5,150 - $5,300 per month.

The biggest variable is housing. The average 1BR rent is $1,441/month. This is a realistic figure—$1,300-$1,600 is the standard range for a decent apartment in a safe, convenient area. Let's build a sample monthly budget for a single analyst earning the median salary:

• Take-Home Pay: $5,200
• Rent (1BR): -$1,441
• Utilities (Electric, Heat, Internet): -$200 (Vermont winters are no joke; heating costs are real)
• Groceries: -$450
• Car Payment/Insurance: -$500 (South Burlington is car-dependent; public transit is limited)
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered): -$250
• Miscellaneous (Entertainment, Savings, Debt): -$1,359

This leaves a healthy buffer for savings, travel, or paying down debt. You can live comfortably, but you're not getting rich. The key is that $83,360 goes further here than in Boston or NYC because of the manageable rent.

Can they afford to buy a home? Let's be direct. The median home price in South Burlington is currently around $475,000. A 20% down payment is $95,000. With a take-home of ~$5,200, a mortgage payment (including taxes/insurance) would be around $2,800-$3,200/month. This would consume over 50% of your take-home pay, which is financially stressful. For data analysts at the median salary, buying is a long-term goal requiring significant savings, dual incomes, or moving further out to towns like Williston or Essex Junction.

Insider Tip: Many locals buy condos or small homes in the Old North End of Burlington or in Essex to the east, where prices are slightly lower. It's a common path.

Where the Jobs Are: South Burlington's Major Employers

The job market is small but deep. With only 40 jobs in the metro, you need to target the right employers. Here are the key players:

1. The University of Vermont (UVM) & UVM Medical Center: The largest employer in the region. They hire analysts for operational efficiency, patient outcomes, and institutional research. The pace is stable, benefits are excellent, and the work is impactful. Hiring Trend: Steady, with a focus on healthcare analytics. They often post on their own career sites.

2. Dealer.com (a Cox Automotive Company): A major tech employer in the heart of South Burlington. They need analysts for web analytics, marketing performance, and dealer data. Insider Tip: The culture is fast-paced, more like a tech company than a traditional Vermont firm. They value SQL, Python, and dashboard skills (Tableau/Power BI).

3. Ben & Jerry's: A unique local giant. They need data analysts for supply chain, production efficiency, and sales analytics. Hiring Trend: Not constant, but when they hire, it's for a very specific skill set—often blending data with sustainability metrics.

4. Champlain College: A private college with a growing online and business school. They hire analysts for enrollment, marketing, and student success data. Hiring Trend: Cyclical, aligned with academic years.

5. State of Vermont Agencies: While based in Montpelier, many analysts work remotely or in satellite offices. Roles include transportation, education, and environmental data. Hiring Trend: Slow but stable, with union protections and pensions.

6. Northfield Savings Bank / Local Credit Unions: Financial institutions are quietly hiring analysts for risk assessment, customer segmentation, and compliance. Hiring Trend: Consistent, low turnover.

How to Find Them: Don't rely on LinkedIn alone. Check the "careers" pages directly. The Vermont Department of Labor's job board is also a solid resource. Networking is critical. Attend Vermont Technology Alliance events or UVM data science meetups. A referral here goes a long way.

Getting Licensed in VT

This is a straightforward part of the move. There are no state-specific licenses required to be a Data Analyst in Vermont. Unlike accountants or engineers, data analysis is not a regulated profession in the state.

Your "license" is your portfolio and your resume. That said, there are professional certifications that carry weight locally:

• Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate: Increasingly recognized by employers like UVM Medical Center and state agencies as a solid foundational credential.
• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate: Very valuable for local government and healthcare roles that use the Microsoft ecosystem.
• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): A more advanced, national certification that can help for senior roles.

The Timeline: If you're starting from scratch, you can get job-ready in 6-12 months with a focused bootcamp or online certificate program. If you're already an analyst, you can start applying immediately. The process is simple: update your resume with local keywords (e.g., "healthcare data," "Quicken integration"), tailor your cover letter to Vermont's values (sustainability, community), and apply.

State Agency Requirements: For government jobs, you may need to pass a basic civil service exam or a skills assessment. It's not a license, but it's a hurdle. Check the Vermont Careers website for specifics.

Best Neighborhoods for Data Analysts

South Burlington and its surrounding areas offer distinct lifestyles. Commute times are short—20 minutes is a long drive here—but parking and walkability vary.

Neighborhood/Area	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Vibe & Commute for Analysts	Insider Tip
South Burlington (South End)	$1,500 - $1,700	The classic choice. Close to UVM Medical Center, Shelburne Road shopping, and Dealer.com. Suburban feel, easy parking.	Look for apartments near the University Mall area for the most options. Traffic on Shelburne Road can be congested at 5 PM.
Burlington's Old North End	$1,300 - $1,500	More urban, walkable, diverse. Close to downtown and UVM. Older buildings, character.	Great for those who want a city feel without the price of the South End. Street parking can be a challenge in winter.
Essex Junction	$1,400 - $1,600	Family-friendly, quieter. Home to the Essex Resort and a growing downtown. 15-min commute to South Burlington.	A great compromise. You get more space for your money and a strong community feel. The Essex Junction "5 Corners" area is developing fast.
Shelburne	$1,600 - $1,800	Upscale, rural-suburban. Beautiful and quiet. 15-20 min commute.	More expensive, but a popular choice for senior analysts and those with families. Rent a single-family home if you can find one.
Williston	$1,350 - $1,550	Commercial hub (big box stores), many new apartment complexes. Easy interstate access. 10-15 min commute.	The "convenience" town. It's not the most charming, but it's practical for commutes to both South Burlington and the airport.

Final Neighborhood Advice: If you're new to the area and working at Dealer.com or a South Burlington corporate park, start in the South End or Essex. If you're at UVM and want urban life, the Old North End is your spot.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 36% is your most important metric. It means the field is expanding locally, even if the base of jobs is small. Your growth path in South Burlington will look different than in a major city.

Specialty Premiums: You'll earn more by specializing. In Vermont, these specialties are in demand:

• Healthcare Analytics (UVM Medical Center): A premium of 10-15% over generalist roles. Requires knowledge of HIPAA and clinical data.
• Environmental/Sustainability Data (State, Ben & Jerry's): Niche but growing. This could be the most unique "Vermont" specialty.
• Advanced SQL & ETL: Every employer needs this. Demonstrating you can clean and structure messy local data is a huge asset.

Advancement Paths:

1. Individual Contributor Track: Mid-Level Analyst -> Senior Analyst -> Principal Analyst -> Data Scientist (often requires a Master's or advanced certs).
2. Management Track: Analyst -> Analytics Manager -> Director of Analytics. This is limited locally; you may need to move into a team lead role at UVM or Dealer.com first.
3. The Remote Hybrid: Many analysts in Vermont reach the expert level and then work remotely for companies in Boston or NYC while living in South Burlington. This is a very common and lucrative path.

10-Year Outlook: The 36% growth suggests that by 2034, there will be more data analyst roles, likely in smaller companies and nonprofits that are currently underserved. The rise of remote work means you can compete for national roles while living here, leveraging the low cost of living. The biggest risk is a slowdown in local tech (like Dealer.com), but the healthcare and state sectors provide a stable floor.

The Verdict: Is South Burlington Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Median Salary ($83,360) goes far against a Cost of Living Index of 100.0.	Very small job market (40 jobs). You can't job-hop easily.
High job growth (36%) signals a healthy, expanding field.	Limited senior-level roles. To hit the $110,000+ mark, you may need to go remote or manage.
Unique, impactful employers (UVM, Ben & Jerry's, State).	Car-dependent. Public transit is not a viable primary option for most.
Unbeatable quality of life: lakes, mountains, four seasons, tight-knit community.	Harsh winters. Can be isolating if you don't embrace outdoor activities.
Stable, recession-resistant sectors (healthcare, education, government).	Housing is a challenge. High rents and a competitive buyer's market.

Final Recommendation: South Burlington is an excellent choice for mid-level data analysts who value quality of life over maximum salary. If you have 2-5 years of experience, you can land a solid role (around $70,000-$90,000) and live comfortably. It's ideal for those who love the outdoors, don't need a big-city social scene, and are willing to build a network in a small pond.

It's not the best choice for entry-level analysts (too few jobs) or for experts seeking to be at the pinnacle of their field (too few high-level roles). For those groups, Boston or remote work is a better bet. But for the vast middle? South Burlington offers a rare blend of professional stability and personal fulfillment.

FAQs

1. Is it hard to find a Data Analyst job in South Burlington?
It's not hard, but it's slow. With only 40 jobs in the metro, you must be patient and persistent. Apply directly to employers and network relentlessly. The good news is the 36% growth rate means the market is expanding.

2. What's the most important technical skill for local employers?
SQL is non-negotiable. Every interview will include a SQL test, from UVM to Dealer.com. Power BI or Tableau is a close second for dashboarding. Python is a plus, especially for senior roles.

3. Can I live here without a car?
It's extremely difficult. While the core of Burlington has some bus routes, South Burlington is designed for cars. You'll need a car for groceries, commuting, and accessing the lake and mountains. Factor in $500/month for a car payment and insurance.

4. How do I stand out in such a small job market?
Tailor your application to Vermont's ethos. Highlight projects related to sustainability, healthcare, or education. In your cover letter, mention why you want to live in Vermont. Attend a local tech meetup (even virtually) before you move and name-drop in interviews. Personal connection matters immensely here.

5. What's the biggest surprise for new analysts moving to South Burlington?
The pace of life. It's not just about the job; it's about the work-life balance. You'll be expected to use your PTO for hiking, skiing, or lake days. Employers respect this balance, but you must be proactive about it. The other surprise is how quickly you'll become part of a community—people are friendly and interconnected.

Sources: Salary and growth data from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Cost of Living Index from Council for Community and Economic Research. Local employer knowledge and rent estimates from Vermont Realtors and local market analysis (2023-2024).