Firefighter in Burlington, VT

Of course. Here is a comprehensive career guide for Firefighters considering a move to Burlington, Vermont.

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The Salary Picture: Where Burlington Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Burlington’s firefighter salaries are a story of stability rather than extravagance. When you look at the numbers, you’ll see that the median salary for a Firefighter in the Burlington metro area is $57,120/year, with an hourly rate of $27.46/hour. This aligns perfectly with the national average, which is also $57,120/year. It’s a solid, middle-of-the-road figure that reflects the region's cost of living.

The job market itself is tight. There are only about 89 firefighting jobs in the entire metro area. With a 10-year job growth projection of just 4%, opportunities don’t open up frequently. This isn't a place for rapid career hopping; it’s for those who are serious about the profession and willing to put in the time. The competition for these roles is local and fierce. When a spot opens with the Burlington Fire Department or a surrounding town, you’re competing with homegrown candidates who know the streets, the people, and the culture.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to earn as you gain experience. These figures are based on typical union-negotiated pay scales in Vermont's public sector.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Notes for the Burlington Area
Entry-Level	$45,000 - $52,000	Typically your first 1-3 years on the job. This is a probationary period where you're proving yourself and learning the specific challenges of our local response area.
Mid-Career	$55,000 - $65,000	After 5-10 years, you’ll have your EMT or Paramedic certification and likely some specialty training. This is where you start approaching the median.
Senior/Officer	$70,000 - $85,000+	As a Lieutenant or Captain, you’ll see a significant bump. This requires seniority, strong leadership, and often a bachelor's degree in fire science or a related field.
Expert/Command	$90,000 - $110,000+	Battalion Chiefs and senior command staff. These roles are few and far between, requiring decades of dedicated service and advanced education.

How does Burlington compare to other Vermont cities?

• Montpelier (State Capital): Salaries are very similar, often slightly higher due to state-level benefits, but the cost of living and housing are also higher.
• Rutland: Salaries tend to be a bit lower, reflecting the smaller tax base, but the cost of living and rent are also significantly less.
• Essex Junction/Colchester: As suburbs of Burlington, these towns often have their own fire departments with pay scales competitive to Burlington's, sometimes with lower call volumes.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s break down the math for a firefighter earning the median salary of $57,120/year. In Vermont, you’ll face a progressive state income tax (ranging from 3.35% to 8.75%), a 6% state sales tax, and federal taxes. After federal, state, and FICA (Social Security/Medicare) taxes, your monthly take-home pay will be approximately $3,500 - $3,700.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a single person in Burlington:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes & Insider Tips
Take-Home Pay	~$3,600	Based on a $57,120 salary after deductions.
Rent (1BR)	$1,441	This is the metro average. A true 1BR in the trendy Old North End or South End will be higher; a studio or a place in a more residential area like the New North End could be slightly less.
Utilities	$150 - $250	Includes electricity, heat (a major cost in VT winters), and internet. Old apartments with poor insulation can drive this up.
Car & Insurance	$300 - $500	Insider Tip: You don't need a car if you live and work centrally, but for most firefighters, it's a necessity. Public transport (CCTA) is decent but not 24/7, which matters for shift work.
Food & Groceries	$400 - $550	Grocery costs are higher than the national average. Shop at City Market (our co-op) for local goods, but for budget staples, Hannaford or Price Chopper are better bets.
Miscellaneous	$500 - $700	Health insurance (if not fully covered), gear/fitness, entertainment, and savings.
Remaining	$159 - $809	This is your buffer for savings, student loans, or a mortgage.

Can they afford to buy a home?
This is the big question. The median home price in the Burlington area is well over $400,000. On a single $57,120 income, buying a home is a significant stretch without a substantial down payment or a dual-income household. A mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) would easily exceed $2,500/month, which is over 40% of your gross income—a red flag for most lenders.

Realistically, homeownership is more feasible for a senior firefighter ($70k+), a firefighter in a two-income household, or someone willing to buy a smaller condo or a fixer-upper in a less central neighborhood like parts of the Old North End or Winooski (a separate city just north of Burlington). Many firefighters choose to live in more affordable surrounding towns like Milton, Colchester, or Essex.

Where the Jobs Are: Burlington's Major Employers

The firefighting scene here is dominated by municipal departments. It’s a tight-knit community, and hiring is almost exclusively through civil service exams and rigorous physicals.

1. Burlington Fire Department (BFD): The largest and most competitive employer. BFD runs a full-service department covering 10.5 square miles, including a busy downtown, the UVM campus, and the waterfront. They run a mix of engine, ladder, and rescue companies. Expect a high call volume.
2. South Burlington Fire Department: A neighboring department that serves the city's airport (BTV), corporate offices, and affluent residential areas. Often considered a desirable assignment with a different call profile than Burlington proper.
3. Essex Junction/Essex Town Fire Department: Serves a sprawling suburban and semi-rural area, including a major industrial park. They handle a mix of residential, commercial, and wildland interface calls.
4. Colchester Center Fire Department: Covers a large, growing town north of Burlington. They have a mix of residential, lakeside properties, and interstate (I-89) calls.
5. University of Vermont (UVM) Rescue Squad & Fire: UVM has its own campus-based emergency response, often hiring firefighters/EMTs for part-time or full-time roles. It’s a great foot in the door and provides experience with a younger demographic.
6. Burlington International Airport (BTV) Fire & Rescue: Federal jobs (often under the FAA) that require specific ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting) training. These are highly specialized, stable positions but open less frequently.
7. Regional Ambulance Services (e.g., Colchester Rescue, South Burlington Rescue): While not fire departments, many firefighters work here as EMTs or Paramedics to gain critical patient care experience and supplement their income. This is a common pathway to getting hired on a fire department.

Hiring Trends: Hiring is cyclical and depends on retirements. The Baby Boomer generation is retiring, creating openings, but the process is slow. Departments are increasingly looking for candidates with EMT or Paramedic certifications, as medical calls make up 70-80% of their workload.

Getting Licensed in VT

Vermont has clear, state-mandated standards. You cannot work as a firefighter without proper certification.

1. Firefighter I & II Certification:

• Requirement: You must complete a state-approved Firefighter I & II academy. This is a comprehensive course covering everything from hose lays and ladder operations to fire behavior and hazmat awareness. It’s physically and mentally demanding.
• Cost: Tuition for a full academy can range from $3,000 to $6,000. Some departments will sponsor you through an academy if you are hired first. Many candidates self-fund through community colleges or state fire schools.
• Timeline: An academy is typically a 6-month part-time program or a 4-6 week intensive summer course. You must also pass the state certification exam.

2. EMT-Basic (The Non-Negotiable):

• Requirement: In Vermont, it is virtually impossible to get hired as a firefighter without at least your EMT-Basic license. Many departments now require EMT-Intermediate or Paramedic.
• Cost: An EMT-B course typically costs between $1,000 and $2,500.
• Timeline: Courses usually run for one semester (approx. 4-6 months).

3. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) License:

• Once you have your EMT-B, you must apply for a license through the Vermont Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), which is part of the Department of Health. This involves background checks and skills verification.

Getting Started: Your first step should be to enroll in an EMT-B class at a local community college (like CCV or Community College of Vermont) or a private training center. While you're in that course, start studying for the Firefighter exam and begin a serious fitness regimen.

Best Neighborhoods for Firefighters

Where you live will depend on your commute, budget, and lifestyle. Remember, shifts are 24 hours on, 48 off, so you don't have a daily commute.

• The Old North End (ONE): Rent: $1,300 - $1,600+. The most densely populated and diverse neighborhood. It's close to downtown, has great character, and is home to many young professionals. The housing stock is older, often with quirks. A great walkable community, but parking can be a nightmare.
• The South End: Rent: $1,500 - $1,800+. Trendier and more expensive, known for its boutiques, restaurants, and the popular "SoBu" vibe. You'll find more modern apartments and renovated older homes. Commutes to the fire station are quick.
• The New North End: Rent: $1,350 - $1,600. A more suburban, family-oriented area with larger apartment complexes and single-family homes. It’s quieter, has easier parking, and is close to the lake and Ethan Allen Park. A bit farther from downtown but a straight shot to the BFD headquarters on Maple Street.
• Winooski (Just North of Burlington): Rent: $1,200 - $1,500. A separate city with its own fire department. It's a mill town turned into a small, walkable urban center with a high concentration of restaurants and bars. Rents are slightly more affordable, and it's only a 5-minute drive to downtown Burlington.
• South Burlington (Suburban): Rent: $1,500 - $1,900+. If you have a higher budget, this area offers more space, newer construction, and is close to the airport and major shopping centers. It’s less "neighborhoody" than other parts of Burlington but offers a comfortable, convenient lifestyle.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Growth in Vermont fire departments is based on seniority, qualifications, and testing. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Specialty Premiums & Advancement Paths:

• Paramedic: This is the single biggest career booster. Departments offer significant pay differentials (often an extra $5,000 - $10,000/year) for paramedic-certified firefighters. It also makes you a top candidate for promotion.
• Technical Rescue: Teams for confined space, trench, and high-angle rope rescue are common in this region. Getting on these teams adds a skill premium and breaks up the monotony of medical calls.
• Hazardous Materials (Hazmat): With industrial parks and I-89, hazmat training is valuable. Specialist certification can lead to a pay bump.
• Fire Prevention/Inspector: A path away from shift work. Requires additional certification but offers a standard Monday-Friday schedule and is crucial for department administration.
• Leadership: Promotion to Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief is achieved through written exams, oral boards, and seniority. A bachelor's degree in Fire Science, Public Administration, or a related field is highly recommended for command staff.

10-Year Outlook:
The 4% job growth statistic is telling: this is a stable field, not a booming one. For a new firefighter, the first 5-10 years are about becoming an expert on your department's equipment and the city's geography. The next decade is about specializing and moving into officer roles. The key to longevity in Vermont is embracing the community—it’s not just a job, it’s a lifestyle. Your reputation is everything.

The Verdict: Is Burlington Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Stunning Natural Beauty: Access to Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks, and Green Mountains for hiking, skiing, and boating on your days off.	High Cost of Living: Especially for housing. The median salary of $57,120 goes less far here than in many other parts of the country.
Strong Community & Culture: A tight-knit, progressive city with a vibrant arts scene, farm-to-table dining, and a palpable sense of local pride.	Competitive & Limited Job Market: Only 89 jobs and 4% growth means openings are rare. You have to be patient and persistent.
Four Distinct Seasons: A true New England experience with beautiful falls, snowy winters, and vibrant springs/summers.	Harsh Winters: The job is physically demanding, and doing it in a Vermont blizzard is a unique challenge. You need to be prepared for extreme weather.
Excellent Work-Life Balance: The 24/48 shift schedule is perfect for enjoying the outdoors and the local lifestyle.	Relative Isolation: Burlington is a small metro area. You’re 3-4 hours from Boston and Montreal. It can feel isolated if you’re used to a major urban center.
Union Representation: Most departments have strong unions, ensuring fair pay, benefits, and retirement plans.	Vermont is "Vermont": The culture is specific—it's quiet, it's rural at its core, and it can be difficult to break into tight social circles.

Final Recommendation:
Burlington is an excellent choice for a firefighter who prioritizes quality of life over maximizing income. If your dream is to ski before your shift, spend your days off hiking on a lakefront trail, and be part of a close-knit community, this is your place. However, if your primary goal is financial acceleration or you want the fast-paced action of a major metropolitan department, you will find Burlington’s pace and salary constraints frustrating. It’s a place for those who are in it for the long haul and want to build a life, not just a career.

FAQs

1. Do I need to have EMT or Paramedic to get hired?
Yes, in most cases. For the Burlington Fire Department, EMT-B is the minimum requirement, but having your EMT-I or Paramedic makes you a highly competitive candidate. Surrounding towns often have the same standard. Plan on getting your EMT-B before you even apply.

2. What is the physical fitness test like?
All Vermont departments use the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a standardized, pass/fail obstacle course that simulates real firefighting tasks. You must complete it within 10 minutes 20 seconds, wearing a 50-pound vest. Start training for it seriously at least 6 months in advance.

3. How do I find out about job openings?
The best resource is the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) job board, where most municipal jobs are posted. Also, check the websites of individual departments (Burlington, South Burlington, etc.) and set up job alerts. The process is often: civil service exam -> eligibility list -> interviews -> conditional offer -> physical/medical exam -> academy.

4. What is the housing situation really like?
It’s tight. The average 1BR rent of $1,441/month is a real number, and good apartments go fast. Many firefighters live with roommates or partners initially, or choose to live in more affordable towns like Milton or Essex and commute. Be prepared to be flexible with your living situation for the first few years.

5. How do I stand out in the application process?
Beyond your certifications, volunteerism is huge in Vermont. Volunteer with a local fire department (many towns have volunteer companies), get involved in the community, and show that you are invested in the area. Your interview will focus heavily on your character, teamwork, and commitment to public service. A clean driving record and background are non-negotiable.

Data Sources:

• Salary & Job Growth Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
• Cost of Living & Rent Data: Zillow, RentCafe, MIT Living Wage Calculator
• State Licensing: Vermont Department of Health, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) & Vermont Fire Academy