isworthit

Is Nursing a Good Career in Vermont?

Vermont · 2026 BLS salary data

Nursing pay in Vermont

The median wage is $97,460/yr — about the same as the national median. Among U.S. states, Vermontranks #19 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in Vermont

Real BLS state-level figures for Nursing.

Median salary
$97,460/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$82,210 – $105,210
National median
$97,550/yr
Employed in Vermont
7,410

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in Vermont

Salary alone can mislead — Vermont costs 2% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
98
Nominal median
$97,460
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $99,449
State income tax
Up to 8.75%

Because Vermont costs 2% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #12 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #19 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Nursing nationally — Vermont pay is about the same as the national median. See the full Nursing career guide →

The verdict

Yes for most people — nursing pays well above the U.S. median with strong job security, but it costs you nights, weekends, and physical/emotional strain. Worth it if you want stable demand and can handle the hours; not if you need a 9-to-5 desk job.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Pay well above the U.S. median wage
  • Strong, recession-resistant demand (aging population)
  • Portable license — jobs in every city and specialty
  • Clear ladder: RN → BSN → NP with big pay jumps
  • Entry in ~2-4 years, far cheaper than med school

Cons

  • 12-hour shifts, nights, weekends, holidays
  • Physically demanding and emotionally draining
  • High burnout rates, especially post-pandemic
  • Exposure to illness, trauma, and difficult patients
  • Understaffing is common and worsening in many hospitals

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People who want stability and are comfortable in high-stakes settings
  • Those who prefer hands-on, human-facing work over a desk
  • Anyone wanting a fast, affordable route to a strong salary

✗ Probably not if…

  • People who need fixed weekday hours
  • Those who struggle with high-stress or high-emotion environments
  • Anyone squeamish around blood, bodily fluids, or death

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Nursing is worth it — titles link to the original threads.