Firefighter in Vermont: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Public safety

Firefighters in Vermont earn a statewide median of $46,430, with wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Vermont licensing picture, and where to train.

What Firefighters Earn in Vermont (May 2025)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for firefighters in major Vermont markets:

What That Pay Is Worth in Vermont

Prices in Vermont run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $46,430 median stretches to roughly $47,378 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Vermont (2024–2034)

Vermont is projected to grow firefighters employment +0.6%, slower than the +3.4% projected nationally. The state expects about 40 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Vermont License and Certification Requirements

Firefighter I / II certification (NFPA 1001) — regulated by the Vermont fire departments / Vermont Fire Academy.

1. Complete training at the Vermont Fire Academy (or a department academy).
2. Earn Firefighter I and II certification (NFPA 1001-based).
3. Add EMT certification — most departments require it — then apply to departments.

Official requirements: Vermont fire departments / Vermont Fire Academy →

Training in Vermont

Vermont relies heavily on volunteer/call firefighters, with career positions in Burlington and larger towns. EMT plus academy certs make you a stronger candidate.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Vermont include:

• Vermont State University — Associate

Where Firefighters Work in Vermont

Real Vermont fire departments that employ firefighters include:

• Addison Volunteer Fire Department — Addison
• Albany Volunteer Fire Department — Albany
• Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department — Alburgh
• Arlington Fire Department - East Station — Arlington
• Arlington Fire Department - West Station — Arlington
• Ascutney Volunteer Fire Department — Ascutney

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People drawn to public service, physical challenge, and team-based work with a clear civic purpose.

Think twice if: Shift work, physical fitness testing, fire and smoke exposure, and civil service hiring timelines sound prohibitive.

Why it's resilient: Firefighting requires physical presence, real-time judgment, community trust, and licensed skills that are inherently resistant to automation.

First Steps

Research your local fire department's recruitment cycle and start EMT-Basic training as the first practical step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Vermont statewide and metro estimates for SOC 33-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the Vermont fire departments / Vermont Fire Academy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Vermont wages · Vermont licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.