Is Nursing School Worth It in Vermont?
Salary & ROI Data (2026)

Average RN salary in Vermont: $92,710/year. Typical program cost: $58,440. Break-even: 11 months.

$92,710
Avg Annual Salary
$44.57/hr
Hourly Rate
+3.8%
Job Growth
11 months
Break-even

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Vermont RN Salary vs. National Average

$92,710
Vermont Average RN Salary
$89,010
National Average RN Salary

✓ Vermont pays $3,700 more than the national average — a 4.2% premium.

Estimated Nursing Specialty Salaries in Vermont

Based on BLS national specialty multipliers applied to Vermont's RN average salary.

SpecialtyEst. Annual Salaryvs. Staff RN
CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)$199,327+$106,617
Nurse Practitioner (NP)$120,523+$27,813
ICU / Critical Care RN$109,398+$16,688
Emergency Department RN$103,835+$11,125
Operating Room RN$101,981+$9,271
Labor & Delivery RN$100,127+$7,417
Medical-Surgical RN$92,710Baseline
Home Health RN$88,075-$4,635

* Estimates based on BLS OES specialty multipliers. Actual salaries vary by employer, experience, certification, and location within Vermont.

Is Nursing School Worth It in Vermont?

With an average salary of $92,710 and typical program costs of $58,440, nursing has one of the strongest ROI profiles of any professional degree. At $5,563/month take-home pay, most nursing programs in Vermont break even in 11 months.

Beyond raw salary, nursing offers exceptional job security. The BLS projects 6% growth nationally through 2032 — much faster than average — driven by an aging population, retiring nurses, and expanded access to healthcare. Vermont is expected to see steady demand, particularly in rural health systems, critical access hospitals, and home health.

To maximize ROI: start with an ADN from a community college (lowest upfront cost), get your RN license, and use tuition reimbursement from your employer to complete an RN-to-BSN program. Many Vermont hospitals cover 75–100% of RN-to-BSN tuition for staff nurses. This pathway costs the least and produces the strongest long-term earning trajectory.

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Related Resources

Programs in VermontAffordable Programs in VermontBest Schools in VermontLicense Requirements in VermontNursing Salary by StateRN to BSN Programs
What is the average nursing salary in Vermont?
Registered nurses in Vermont earn an average of $92,710 per year ($44.57/hour) according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is $3,700 above the national average of $89,010.
Is nursing school worth the investment in Vermont?
Yes, for most students. With an average salary of $92,710 and typical program costs of $58,440, the average nursing program in Vermont pays for itself in approximately 11 months of full-time employment. Over a 30-year career, the lifetime earnings advantage of an RN license is significant.
What nursing specialty pays the most in Vermont?
CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) are the highest-paid nursing specialty in Vermont, earning approximately $199,327 per year. Nurse Practitioners earn around $120,523, followed by ICU nurses at approximately $109,398.
How does nursing job growth look in Vermont?
Vermont is projected to see 3.8% growth in nursing employment over the next decade, in line with the national average of 6%. An aging population and expanded healthcare access continue to drive strong demand for nurses across all specialties.
Can I increase my nursing salary in Vermont?
Yes. Earning a BSN instead of an ADN typically increases salary by 10–15%. Specializing in high-demand areas (ICU, OR, ER) or earning certifications (CCRN, CEN) adds $5,000–$15,000 annually. Advancing to NP requires a master's degree but nearly doubles the RN salary.
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