Paralegal Salary in Burlington, VT: $73,658 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time paralegal in Burlington, VT earns a median $73,658/year (≈ $35.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $72,966 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.3% above the Vermont state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, paralegals in Burlington, Vermont, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $73,658, which exceeds the national median of $65,097 by a notable margin. Salaries for paralegals in this region range from $53,111 at the lower end to $88,491 at the top, highlighting a considerable disparity based on experience and specialization. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicating a growing demand for paralegals in Burlington. The choice between in-house corporate positions and law firm roles often means a trade-off in salaries for work-life balance, with corporate environments typically offering steadier hours than the more demanding BigLaw firms, which may compensate with higher financial rewards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,111 | $25.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,195 | $29.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,658 | $35.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,866 | $39.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,491 | $42.54 |
Median Salary Position
13.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, VT, the paralegal salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,380 (2026 est.). At $73,658, the local median is 13.15% above the national median of $65,097.
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At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be above the median
How Burlington Paralegal Pay Compares
Burlington median: $73,658/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $67,390 | +9.30% more |
| National Average | $65,097 | +13.15% more |
Paralegals in Burlington, VT earn a median of $73,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.15% higher than the national median of $65,097 and 9.30% above the Vermont state average of $67,390.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 0.95% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 100.949 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,658 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,966 — a 0.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,520
2025 BLS Actual
$71,160
2026 Current Est.
$73,658
2019–2027 Growth
+54.0%
Salary Trajectory for Paralegals in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,658 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median paralegal salary grew 43.7% from $49,520 (2019) to $71,160 (2025). At a 3.51% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,723 (53.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $53,111 – $61,195 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,195 – $73,658 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,658 – $81,866 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,866 – $88,491 |
Paralegal salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual paralegal compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Paralegal Job Market in Burlington
Burlington's local job market includes approximately 300 paralegals employed, reflecting the area's robust legal sector and demand for legal support services. The cost-of-living index of 100.949 suggests that while salaries are competitive, daily expenses might slightly hinder take-home purchasing power. Among the top payers in Burlington are larger law firms and in-house corporate legal departments, which tend to offer more generous compensation. Factors driving salary variation include the tier of the firm—where BigLaw positions stand out—areas of specialization like e-discovery, and levels of certification, such as those recognized by NALA or NFPA. To maximize earning potential, paralegals should consider gaining expertise in high-demand specialties and obtaining relevant certifications, focusing on skills that are attractive to both firms and corporate legal teams in Burlington.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $71,160 for paralegalsin the Burlington metropolitan area. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov