Average registered nurse compensation in Vermont across seven career stages — from new grad RN to Chief Nursing Officer. Updated 2026 benchmarks to help you negotiate, plan, and grow.
RN Salary by Role in Vermont
Vermont offers solid, middle-of-the-road nursing pay, with staff RNs averaging roughly $76,000 a year.
In Vermont, compensation grows considerably as nurses gain experience and take on more responsibility. New grad RNs typically start around $56,000, with specialty nurses in units like the ICU, ER, or OR averaging closer to $86,000. Moving into leadership brings a meaningful jump — nurse managers average about $96,000, directors of nursing around $111,000, and chief nursing officers can earn $131,000 or more. For nurses pursuing advanced practice roles (NP, CNS, CRNA, CNM), average pay in Vermont runs near $96,000.
Vermont is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate RN or LPN license issued here is valid for practice in other compact states — useful for travel nursing, telehealth, or relocating without re-licensing.
As with any state, factor in local cost of living and taxes alongside salary when evaluating job offers in Vermont.
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