How does a Chef's salary in Burlington compare to the rest of Vermont?

Burlington's cost of living index is 118 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted upward accordingly. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $69,526 earns $3,726 more than the median household income in Burlington ($65,800).

Chef Salary in Burlington, VT — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Burlington's cost of living (index: 118). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Chef Salary in Burlington — Key Numbers

$69,526

Median Salary

$50,563

25th Percentile

$95,084

75th Percentile

$124,750

90th Percentile

National median (Chef)$58,920

vs. National median+18.0%

Burlington median household income$65,800

vs. City household income+5.7%

Cost of Living in Burlington

Cost of Living Index

118(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,938/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio33.4%

Annual rent cost$23,256

Median Home Price$440,000

Home Price / Salary6.3×

20% Down Payment$88,000

Years to save (20% rate)6.3 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Burlington

2.7%

Unemployment Rate

230,000

Metro Population

20 min

Avg Commute

35.4

Median Age

Burlington has a metro population of 230,000, offering a growing job market with opportunities especially in established local industries. The 2.7% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Financial Calculators for Burlington

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Take-Home Pay Calculator

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Cost of Living — Burlington

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Rent vs. Buy in Burlington

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Budget Planner

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Chef Salary in Vermont

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Burlington

Physician$270,574 Chief Executive Officer$247,800 Dentist$207,102 IT Manager$200,022 Marketing Manager$185,992 Lawyer$171,997

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chef make in Burlington, VT?

The estimated median salary for a Chef in Burlington is $69,526 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Burlington's cost of living index (118). The typical salary range runs from $50,563 (25th percentile) to $95,084 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $124,750.

Is Burlington affordable for a Chef?

On a $69,526 annual salary, a Chef in Burlington would spend approximately 33.4% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,938/month). This is approaching the 30–35% cost-burden threshold; careful budgeting is recommended. The median home price of $440,000 is 6.3× the annual salary.

How does a Chef's salary compare to Burlington's overall income?

Burlington's median household income is $65,800. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $69,526 earns 5.7% more than the typical Burlington household — placing them solidly in the middle-to-upper income tier for the city.

Explore More Salary Data

Chef — National Chef in Vermont All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.