Electrician in South Burlington, VT

The Salary Picture: Where South Burlington Stands

As a local who’s watched the job market here for years, I can tell you straight up: electricians in South Burlington earn a solid, middle-class wage that’s competitive with the national average. The median salary sits at $61,550/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $29.59/hour. This is right on par with the national average for electricians, which is also $61,550/year. It’s a stable market, not a boom town, but it’s consistent.

The real story, however, is in the experience breakdown. The 11% job growth over the next decade is significant for a metro area of our size (population 20,488). It suggests that as the region’s infrastructure ages and new green energy projects come online, demand for skilled trades will outpace the national average.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the South Burlington area:

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range (South Burlington)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	$42,000 - $52,000/year	Residential wiring, basic conduit runs, assisting journeypersons. Often starts as an apprentice.
Mid-Career	$55,000 - $68,000/year	Residential/commercial service, troubleshooting, panel upgrades, some solar installs.
Senior (Journeyperson)	$70,000 - $85,000/year	Commercial projects, industrial controls, complex troubleshooting, code compliance.
Expert (Master/Licensed)	$85,000+ /year	Project management, design, owning a business, specialized systems (e.g., data centers, EV infrastructure).

When you compare South Burlington to other Vermont cities, the story is nuanced. Burlington is the natural comparison. South Burlington’s median salary is nearly identical to Burlington’s, but the cost of living can be slightly lower (especially for housing). In smaller VT cities like Barre or Rutland, salaries might dip 5-10% lower, but so does the rent. The key advantage for South Burlington is its proximity to the larger Burlington metro job market (which includes Chittenden County), giving you more potential employers without the higher housing costs of living in downtown Burlington proper.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the math. On a $61,550/year salary, your take-home pay after federal and state taxes (assuming you’re single, standard deduction, VT’s progressive tax) is roughly $48,000 - $50,000/year, or about $4,000 - $4,160/month. This is an estimate; your actual take-home will vary.

The biggest fixed cost is rent. The average 1-bedroom apartment in South Burlington rents for $1,441/month. That’s a significant chunk—about 35% of your take-home pay. Let’s break down a realistic monthly budget for an electrician earning the median wage:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$1,441	You can find cheaper if you have roommates or live in a basement unit.
Utilities	$150 - $200	Includes electricity (often higher in winter), heating, internet.
Groceries	$400	VT is pricier than the national average for food.
Car/Transportation	$450 - $600	Car payment, insurance, gas. Commuting is a must here.
Health Insurance	$200 - $400	Highly variable; union jobs often offer better rates.
Retirement/Savings	$200 - $400	401(k) or IRA contributions.
Miscellaneous	$300	Entertainment, personal care, clothes, etc.
Total Expenses	$3,141 - $3,641
Remaining (Savings/Debt)	$359 - $859	Your buffer for emergencies, student loans, or a down payment.

Can they afford to buy a home? This is the big question. The median home price in South Burlington is currently around $500,000. With a $61,550 salary, that’s a 8x income ratio—extremely high and generally not recommended by financial advisors. A 20% down payment is $100,000. On a single median income, buying a home alone is a very long-term goal, likely requiring a partner’s income or a significant salary jump into the $85,000+ range. Renting is the more realistic path for most early-career electricians.

Where the Jobs Are: South Burlington’s Major Employers

South Burlington is a commercial hub. The jobs aren’t just in residential construction. Here are the key employers for electricians, with insider insights:

1. Burlington Electric Department (BED): While headquartered in Burlington, BED serves the entire region. They hire electricians for utility-scale work, public lighting, and grid maintenance. They are a union shop (IBEW Local 300). Hiring is competitive and often based on civil service exams. Insider tip: They have a strong preference for candidates with commercial/industrial experience.
2. Larson Design Group (LDG): A major electrical contractor based in Williston (just a few minutes from South Burlington). They handle large commercial, industrial, and institutional projects (hospitals, schools, tech parks). They are a primary source of steady, project-based work. They often post jobs directly on their website.
3. University of Vermont (UVM): The state’s largest employer. UVM’s facilities department maintains a massive, historic campus. They have a dedicated team of electricians for campus-wide electrical systems, labs, and new construction. These are highly stable, unionized positions (AFSCME) with excellent benefits. Check the UVM HR job board religiously.
4. The University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC): A separate entity from the university, but a massive employer. Hospitals have complex, 24/7 electrical needs (backup generators, medical gas systems, data centers). UVMMC has a facilities team and also contracts with firms like LDG. Healthcare facilities work is a growing specialty.
5. Shelburne Farms / Local High-End Residential: While not a single employer, the affluent residential market in South Burlington, Shelburne, and Charlotte is a consistent source of work. High-end custom homes and renovations require skilled electricians. Many electricians find this work through word-of-mouth or by joining a firm that specializes in this market.
6. Solar Installers (e.g., SunCommon, Green Mountain Solar): Vermont’s renewable energy mandate has created a boom in solar. Companies like SunCommon are major employers for electricians specializing in PV system installation and grid interconnection. This is one of the fastest-growing niches in the state.

Hiring Trends: There’s a noticeable trend toward electricians with certification in low-voltage systems (data, security, AV) and solar installation. The push for energy efficiency means more work on heat pumps and EV charger installations.

Getting Licensed in VT

Vermont’s licensing is controlled by the State Board of Electricians (under the VT Department of Labor). The process is structured but clear.

1. Start as an Apprentice: You need 8,000 hours of documented, on-the-job training under a licensed electrician. This typically takes 4 years. You must also complete 576 classroom hours (often through a union apprenticeship program or a VT trade school like the Vermont Technical College). Cost: Apprenticeship programs are often sponsored, so you earn while you learn. If you pay for schooling out-of-pocket, expect $2,000 - $5,000 in tuition and fees.
2. Become a Journeyperson: Once you hit your hours and classroom requirements, you apply to take the Vermont Journeyperson Electrician Exam. The exam is based on the NEC (National Electrical Code). Exam fee: ~$150.
3. Master Electrician: This requires an additional 4,000 hours of work as a licensed journeyperson and passing the Master Electrician exam. This is the path to owning your own business or supervising others.

Timeline to Get Started: If you start today, you could be a licensed journeyperson in 4-5 years. The market is hungry for new apprentices. Your best first step is to contact the Vermont Electrical Contractors Association (VECA) or the IBEW Local 300 apprenticeship program. They can connect you with employers who sponsor apprentices.

Best Neighborhoods for Electricians

Commuting in Chittenden County is generally easy, but traffic on Route 7 and I-89 can be a bottleneck. Living close to where you work saves time and gas.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate	Best For...
South End (South Burlington)	Urban-suburban mix. Close to downtown Burlington, UVM, and the hospital. Easy access to major employers.	$1,450 - $1,600	Those who want city amenities with a shorter commute.
Shelburne (South of SB)	Quieter, more residential. Commute to South Burlington is 10-15 mins. Larger homes, but more car-dependent.	$1,300 - $1,500	Someone prioritizing space and a quieter lifestyle.
Williston	The commercial/industrial heart. Home to many contractors (like LDG) and the airport. Commutes are short if you work there.	$1,350 - $1,550	The pragmatic choice for minimizing commute to major job sites.
Burlington (Old North End)	Older, more affordable housing stock. Very walkable, vibrant community. Commute to South Burlington is 10 mins.	$1,200 - $1,400	Urban dwellers who want character and lower rent.
Essex Junction	A classic suburb with a strong community feel. Good schools, easy commute via Route 28A.	$1,300 - $1,500	Electricians with young families or looking to settle long-term.

Insider Tip: Don’t overlook the "basement apartment" market in South Burlington and Shelburne. You can often find a well-kept 1-bedroom unit in a single-family home for $200-$300 less than a large complex. This is a great way to build savings.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 11% job growth over 10 years is your runway. Here’s how to leverage it:

• Specialty Premiums: In South Burlington, the highest premiums are for:

  • Solar/RE: +5-15% above base rate.
  • Low-Voltage/Data: +10%.
  • Industrial Controls/PLCs: +15-20% (often found at manufacturing plants like GlobalFoundries in Essex Junction, just 15 mins away).
  • Hospital/Healthcare: +5-10% for specialized medical systems work.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Journeyperson to Foreman: You’ll need strong people skills and project management experience. Salary jump to $75,000-$90,000.
  2. Master Electrician / Business Owner: The path to six figures. With Vermont’s entrepreneurial culture, many electricians start small, one- or two-person shops, eventually scaling to $100,000+. You’ll need to navigate state licensing, insurance, and marketing.
  3. Niche Specialization: Become the go-to expert for EV charger installations, historic home rewiring, or smart home systems. This allows you to command higher rates as a specialist.

• 10-Year Outlook: The outlook is strong. The aging of the electrical grid, the push for electrification (heat pumps, EVs), and Vermont’s aggressive climate goals will keep electricians in high demand. The 11% growth is likely to be driven by these green energy transitions. The key is to stay ahead of the code changes and technology.

The Verdict: Is South Burlington Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Stable, Growing Job Market with 11% projected growth.	High Housing Costs relative to wages. The $1,441/month rent is a major burden.
Median Salary of $61,550 is competitive and matches the national average.	Cold, Long Winters can impact work schedules and quality of life.
Access to a Diverse Range of Employers (utility, commercial, healthcare, solar).	Limited "Big City" Amenities compared to a major metro area like Boston.
High Quality of Life with access to outdoor recreation (Lake Champlain, Green Mountains).	Traffic & Commute can be frustrating during peak times, especially on Route 7.
Strong Union Presence (IBEW, state employees) offering good benefits.	Competitive Apprenticeship programs; getting in can require persistence.

Final Recommendation: South Burlington is an excellent choice for electricians who value stability, a high quality of life, and a strong community. It’s not a place to get rich quickly, but it’s a place to build a solid, respectable career. The key to financial success here is to manage your housing costs (roommates, a cheaper apartment) early on, and then specialize to push your income above the median. If you’re willing to work hard, get licensed, and embrace Vermont’s unique culture, South Burlington offers a rewarding path.

FAQs

1. Do I need a union job to make a good wage here?
No, but it helps. The IBEW Local 300 sets strong wage and benefit standards for many commercial contractors. However, non-union shops (like many residential contractors) can also pay well, especially if you have specialized skills. Your earning power is more tied to your experience and specialty than union status.

2. How is the work-life balance?
It can be good. Most companies are Monday-Friday, 7 am-3:30 pm. Overtime is common on large projects (e.g., UVM construction) but not usually excessive. The biggest factor is winter; outdoor work can be limited from December to March, so you might see shorter hours or shift to indoor service work.

3. Is there enough work for a brand-new apprentice?
Yes, the 11% growth indicates demand. The challenge is finding a sponsor. Your best bets are to contact the Vermont Electrical Contractors Association (VECA) or apply directly to the IBEW Local 300 apprenticeship. Be prepared to start in residential if commercial apprenticeships are full.

4. What’s the niche I should target for the future?
Two words: Electrification. The Vermont state legislature has passed laws pushing for heat pumps and EVs. Electricians who get certified in EV charger installation and heat pump electrical integration will be in the driver’s seat for the next decade.

5. Can I live in South Burlington without a car?
It’s very difficult. Public transit is limited. Most job sites are spread out, and you’ll need a vehicle to carry tools. If you live and work in the South End of Burlington, it’s possible but not ideal. A reliable car is a job requirement.