Web Developer in Burlington, VT

The Salary Picture: Where Burlington Stands

As a local who’s watched the tech scene evolve from a handful of scrappy startups to a more structured ecosystem, I can tell you that Burlington’s salary landscape is a unique blend of New England pragmatism and a high quality of life. For Web Developers, the numbers tell a story of stability. The median salary for a Web Developer in Burlington is $92,750/year, with an hourly rate of $44.59/hour. This is notably right in line with the national average of $92,750/year, which is unusual for a smaller city. It means you’re not taking a major pay cut to live in a place with lakes, mountains, and a vibrant cultural scene.

The job market, while not a sprawling metropolis like Boston, is solid. There are approximately 89 jobs in the metro area for Web Developers, according to recent data. The 10-year job growth projection is a healthy 16%, which outpaces the national average for many tech roles and suggests a growing, if not explosive, market.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the Burlington market. These are realistic ranges based on local postings and industry conversations.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Typical Responsibilities
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$65,000 - $78,000	Front-end coding (HTML/CSS/JS), basic framework work, junior tasks on larger projects.
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$85,000 - $105,000	Full-stack capabilities, independent project ownership, mentoring junior devs.
Senior-Level (5-8 years)	$105,000 - $125,000	System architecture, leading teams, complex problem-solving, cross-department collaboration.
Expert/Lead (8+ years)	$125,000+	Director-level or principal engineer roles, setting technical strategy, deep specialization.

How does Burlington compare to other Vermont cities? It’s the clear leader in both salary and opportunity. While Montpelier has state government and some tech, and Rutland has a growing healthcare tech sector, Burlington is the economic and tech hub of the state. Salaries in smaller Vermont cities are often 10-15% lower, and the number of available positions is significantly smaller. If you’re looking for the most career momentum in Vermont, Burlington is where the action is.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about your budget. The median Web Developer salary of $92,750/year translates to a gross monthly income of approximately $7,729. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, a single filer with no dependents can expect to take home roughly $5,800 - $6,000 per month. This is a key number to anchor your financial planning.

Now, let’s model a monthly budget. The average 1-bedroom apartment rent in Burlington is $1,441/month. This number can swing wildly depending on the neighborhood, which we’ll cover later.

Sample Monthly Budget for a Web Developer Earning $92,750/year:

• Net Take-Home Pay: $5,900 (after taxes)
• Rent (1BR Avg): $1,441
• Utilities (Electric, Heat, Internet): $200 - $250 (Older apartments can have high heating costs in winter)
• Groceries & Household: $400 - $500
• Car Payment/Insurance/Gas: $400 - $600 (If you own a car. Public transit is decent but a car is often needed for flexibility)
• Health Insurance (if not employer-paid): $300 - $500
• Student Loans/Other Debt: $300 (average for this demographic)
• Retirement Savings (10%): $775
• Discretionary/Entertainment: $534 - $934

This leaves a manageable cushion for savings and fun, but buying a home is a different challenge. The Burlington metro median home price is approximately $450,000. A 20% down payment is $90,000. Even with a strong $92,750 salary, saving for that down payment while paying rent is a multi-year endeavor unless you have existing savings. However, unlike major coastal cities, homeownership here is a realistic long-term goal for a successful Web Developer, not a far-off fantasy.

Where the Jobs Are: Burlington's Major Employers

Burlington’s tech scene is anchored by a mix of higher education, healthcare, and a growing private sector. Here are the key players you should be watching:

1. University of Vermont (UVM) & UVM Health Network: The largest employer in the region. UVM constantly needs web developers for their public-facing sites, student portals, and research department applications. The UVM Health Network (which includes the UVM Medical Center) has a massive internal IT department for patient portals, data systems, and public health websites. These are stable jobs with excellent benefits.
2. Ben & Jerry’s / Unilever: While the ice cream is the famous product, their corporate office in South Burlington has a digital team managing e-commerce, branding, and internal tools. It’s a blend of creative work and robust corporate tech.
3. Dealer.com (now Cox Automotive): A historic anchor in the Burlington tech scene. While it’s part of a larger corporation now, its Burlington office still employs a significant number of web developers, designers, and digital marketers. They work on automotive retail platforms and have a reputation for a strong, collaborative engineering culture.
4. Keurig Dr Pepper (Burlington Roasting Plant): The massive facility on the outskirts of town has a surprising amount of local IT and web development needs for supply chain, B2B portals, and corporate reporting.
5. Local Agencies & Startups: Firms like Zero Gravity Marketing, Northern Web, and Squared Away hire web developers for client projects. The startup scene is smaller but includes companies like Vermont Creamery’s digital team and tech-enabled businesses like Farmers' Market apps. These roles often offer more variety and direct impact.
6. State of Vermont IT Department: Based in nearby Montpelier but with a strong presence in Burlington, the state government is digitizing services and needs developers for everything from the DMV website to public health data dashboards. These jobs offer unparalleled job security and pension benefits.

Hiring Trends: There’s a growing demand for developers who understand accessibility (WCAG standards) and cybersecurity, especially for healthcare and government clients. Full-stack developers with React/Node.js stacks are consistently in demand.

Getting Licensed in VT

Here’s an insider tip: Vermont does not have a state-specific license required to practice as a “Web Developer.” It’s not a licensed profession like being an architect or a civil engineer. However, you will need to meet certain business and legal requirements if you plan to work as a freelancer or form your own LLC.

• For Employees: If you’re hired by a company (like UVM or Dealer.com), they handle all the paperwork. You just need to fill out a W-4 for taxes and verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. The timeline is immediate upon hiring.
• For Freelancers/Contractors:
  • Business Registration: You must register your business with the Vermont Secretary of State. An LLC is common and costs $125 to file online.
  • Business Tax Account: You’ll need to register for a Vermont Business Tax Account with the Department of Taxes for state income and sales tax purposes (if applicable).
  • Local Permits: If you work from home, check with your specific town’s zoning rules. Most residential areas allow home offices, but it’s good to verify.
  • Timeline: Registering an LLC online can be done in a day. Setting up tax accounts and checking local rules might take a few weeks.
  • Costs: $125 for LLC filing, plus any local permit fees (typically under $50). There’s no state-level web developer license fee.

Best Neighborhoods for Web Developers

Choosing where to live in Burlington greatly impacts your commute, budget, and lifestyle. Here’s a local’s breakdown:

1. Downtown Burlington / Old North End:

   • Lifestyle: Walkable, vibrant, with coffee shops, restaurants, and Lake Champlain nearby. Ideal for those who want a car-free or car-light lifestyle.
   • Commute: 5-10 minutes to most downtown offices. Easy walk or bike to many places.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,500 - $1,800 for a 1BR. Older buildings, charming but can be drafty.
   • Insider Tip: Parking is a nightmare and expensive if you have a car. Factor that into your budget.

2. South End / Pine Street Corridor:

   • Lifestyle: More industrial-turned-artsy vibe. Home to breweries, galleries, and maker spaces. A bit quieter than downtown but still very active.
   • Commute: 10-15 minutes by car/bike to downtown. The bike path is excellent here.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,300 - $1,600 for a 1BR. You can find more modern apartment complexes here.
   • Insider Tip: This area is gentrifying quickly. Look for places south of the main Pine Street cluster for slightly better prices.

3. South Burlington (Near the Mall & Airport):

   • Lifestyle: Suburban, family-oriented, with big-box stores and newer apartment complexes. Very convenient for shopping and highway access.
   • Commute: 10-20 minutes to downtown. Easy access to I-89.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,400 - $1,700 for a 1BR. More space for the money and better parking.
   • Insider Tip: This is where many UVM Medical Center employees live. It’s safe, reliable, and has great access to the airport if you travel for work.

4. Old South End / Shelburne Road:

   • Lifestyle: A mix of residential and commercial. Quiet streets with older homes converted to apartments. Close to Shelburne Village’s shops and restaurants.
   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to downtown. Traffic can be slow on Shelburne Road during rush hour.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,250 - $1,550 for a 1BR. Often the best value for space and character.
   • Insider Tip: This area has strong neighborhood associations and a very established community feel.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Your career growth in Burlington won’t mirror the hyper-growth of a San Francisco, but it offers a sustainable, rewarding path.

Specialty Premiums:

• Accessibility (a11y) Specialist: Given the strong healthcare and government sectors, developers with deep WCAG expertise can command a 10-15% premium over the median salary.
• DevOps/SRE: As companies modernize, the need for cloud infrastructure (AWS/Azure) experts is growing. This can push you toward the $115,000+ range more quickly.
• Front-End Framework Expert: Deep knowledge in React or Vue is table stakes, but specialization in performance optimization or state management can set you apart.

Advancement Paths:

1. Technical Track: Junior → Mid → Senior → Staff/Principal Engineer. This is the most common path in Burlington’s corporate employers (UVM, Dealer.com, Keurig).
2. Management Track: Senior Developer → Tech Lead → Engineering Manager. Requires strong people skills and is available at larger local employers and agencies.
3. Consulting/Freelance: After 5+ years, many developers strike out on their own, serving Vermont’s small business community. This offers higher income potential but less stability.
4. Startup Founder: The ecosystem is small but supportive. Organizations like the Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies (VCET) provide incubator space and mentorship.

10-Year Outlook: With a 16% growth rate, the market is expanding. The push toward digital services in healthcare, education, and state government will create more specialized roles. Burlington won’t become a tech mecca, but it will solidify as a strong, stable market for developers who value quality of life over Silicon Valley salaries.

The Verdict: Is Burlington Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Salary that matches the national average in a lower-cost region.	Limited number of employers compared to a major metro.
Unbeatable access to outdoor recreation (skiing, hiking, biking, sailing).	High cost of living for a small city, primarily driven by housing.
Strong, stable job market in healthcare, education, and government.	Winters are long, dark, and snowy. Seasonal Affective Disorder is real.
Vibrant small-city culture with great food, beer, and arts.	Tech scene is not as dynamic or cutting-edge as larger hubs.
Manageable commute and walkable core.	Limited public transit outside the immediate city center.

Final Recommendation: Burlington is an excellent choice for a Web Developer who is lifestyle-first. If you value having world-class skiing and hiking in your backyard, a strong sense of community, and a stable career over chasing the absolute highest salary, this is your spot. It’s ideal for mid-career developers looking to buy a home, start a family, or simply trade a stressful metropolitan grind for the Green Mountains. It’s less ideal for someone early in their career who craves the networking density and rapid job-hopping opportunities of a San Francisco or New York.

FAQs

1. Is it easy to find a job as a Web Developer in Burlington without connections?
Yes, but it takes effort. The market is tight-knit. Apply directly on company websites (UVM, Dealer.com), use LinkedIn to connect with local tech recruiters, and attend events like the Burlington Open Coffee Club or VT Tech Meetups. The number of jobs (89) is small enough that a targeted application strategy is more effective than a spray-and-pray approach.

2. How do the seasons affect a developer’s lifestyle and finances?
The seasons are a major factor. Winter (Nov-April) is long. You’ll need a reliable car with snow tires, and heating bills can be high. However, many employers are flexible with "snow days" or remote work during blizzards. The upside is spectacular summers and falls, which are factored into the high quality of life. Budget an extra $300-$500 for winter car maintenance and gear.

3. What’s the tech community like? Is it easy to network?
The community is small but welcoming. It’s not a massive conference scene, but people know each other. Key events include Vermont Tech Jam (an annual job fair and expo), local Meetup.com groups for Python, React, and women in tech. The vibe is collaborative, not competitive. You’re more likely to get a job referral from a neighbor than from a cold application.

4. Can I survive without a car in Burlington?
It’s challenging but possible, especially if you live and work downtown. The Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA) bus system is decent, and the city is very bike-friendly. However, to access trails, ski areas, or even some suburbs, a car is essential. Many developers live in walkable neighborhoods and use car-sharing services for weekend trips.

5. How does the cost of living compare to nearby cities like Boston or Montreal?
Burlington is dramatically cheaper than Boston, where a comparable salary would be eaten by rent and taxes. Boston’s median rent is over $2,500, and salaries are only about 20% higher. Compared to Montreal, it’s a wash—Montreal has slightly lower rents but lower salaries in tech and significant language barriers for English-only speakers. Burlington offers a unique value proposition: a high salary relative to its own cost of living, with the cultural and outdoor perks of a larger city.