Firefighter in South Burlington, VT

South Burlington offers firefighters a small-city public-safety market with compensation that is close to the national benchmark. OCity's current planning dataset lists a $57,120 median annual salary, equal to about $27.46 per hour. The local estimate matches the $57,120 national reference in this dataset, so the decision is less about a headline pay premium and more about housing, household income, job availability, and career fit.

The city has about 20,488 residents. The dataset records approximately 40 firefighter positions and 4% projected job growth. Those figures suggest a compact, relatively stable market rather than a high-volume hiring center. Openings may depend on replacement needs, municipal budgets, retirements, and the timing of public recruitment cycles.

Salary Picture in South Burlington

The modeled median is $57,120 per year, or approximately $4,760 gross per month before taxes, retirement contributions, insurance, and other deductions. At $27.46 per hour, the annual and hourly figures are internally consistent for a full-time schedule.

Measure	South Burlington estimate
Median annual salary	$57,120
Hourly wage	$27.46
National reference	$57,120
Recorded employment	40 jobs
Projected growth	4%

Actual firefighter compensation can differ because public-safety pay often includes step schedules, overtime, holiday assignments, certification incentives, and retirement contributions. Applicants should use the posted pay range and official benefits documents for any specific opening.

Cost of Living and Housing Context

South Burlington's cost-of-living index is 100.0 in the current OCity dataset, matching the national baseline. The listed one-bedroom rent is $1,441 per month, or $17,292 per year before utilities and renter costs.

That annual rent equals about 30.3% of the $57,120 gross salary. This is a screening ratio, not a complete affordability verdict: taxes, household size, transportation, insurance, debt, and benefits can materially change the result. The city's median household income is $97,229, which also indicates that many local households rely on more than one income or earn above the modeled firefighter median.

A practical offer review should compare net monthly pay against rent, utilities, commuting, health premiums, retirement deductions, and emergency savings. Overtime should not be treated as guaranteed base income.

Employment Outlook and Hiring Reality

With about 40 recorded jobs, this is a specialized local market. A 4% growth estimate points to gradual demand, but a small employment base means the number of openings in any single year may remain limited. Candidates should expect hiring to be periodic rather than continuous.

Common public-safety hiring requirements may include physical testing, medical screening, background review, a valid driver's license, and role-specific emergency or fire-service credentials. Requirements vary by agency and posting, so the official announcement is the controlling source.

For stronger odds, candidates can monitor municipal recruitment pages, regional public-safety listings, and neighboring jurisdictions. Maintaining current certifications and preparing documentation before an application window opens can be especially important in a small market.

Experience and Earning Progression

The $57,120 figure is a market midpoint, not a guaranteed starting salary. Entry compensation may fall below it, while experienced firefighters, officers, or workers with additional certifications may earn more. Shift differentials and overtime can raise annual earnings, but they also represent additional hours and should be evaluated separately from base pay.

When comparing offers, ask for the written salary step, probationary rate, progression schedule, overtime rules, pension contribution, health-plan employee share, paid leave, and certification incentives. Total compensation can differ substantially even when two base salaries look similar.

Monthly Budget Check

At the modeled median, gross monthly income is about $4,760. Subtracting the listed $1,441 rent leaves $3,319 before taxes and all other expenses. This is not take-home pay. A responsible budget should then account for payroll deductions, food, transportation, utilities, insurance, debt payments, and savings.

The neutral 100.0 cost-of-living index means the local expense profile is modeled near the national baseline overall, but housing and personal circumstances still matter. Households with dependents or significant debt should run their own after-tax budget rather than rely on the citywide index alone.

Career Decision Checklist

Before accepting a South Burlington firefighter position:

• Confirm the official base-pay step and probationary period.
• Separate guaranteed salary from estimated overtime.
• Review pension, health insurance, and employee contribution rates.
• Compare the commute and housing choices with the $1,441 one-bedroom benchmark.
• Ask how certifications affect placement or incentives.
• Verify the promotion process and training support.
• Maintain an emergency fund for relocation and first-month expenses.

Bottom Line

South Burlington's firefighter market offers a modeled salary equal to the national reference, a cost-of-living index at the national baseline, and moderate 4% projected growth. The tradeoff is scale: only about 40 jobs are represented, so openings may be competitive and irregular. The best fit is likely a candidate who values a smaller market, verifies the complete benefits package, and can make the $57,120 salary work against local housing and personal costs.

The figures on this page are planning estimates, not a wage guarantee or live job posting. Always verify compensation, qualifications, and benefits with the hiring agency.