Lawyer Salaries in Vermont

$105,000 Average Salary
40% Below National Average
$93K Median
$146K Top 10%
$61K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
Vermont Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $105,000 (-40% below national)
  • Career Range: $60,966 (Entry) → $210,000 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($149K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($177K), In-House ($117K)
  • vs Nearby: Higher than Maine ; Below New York, Massachusetts

Vermont has a very small, close-knit legal community. Quality of life attracts lifestyle-focused attorneys. Environmental law and small business practices predominate.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in Vermont

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$60,966
Median: $51K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$87,000
Median: $77K
6-10 years
Senior
$117,000
Median: $103K
10+ years
Partner
$210,000
Median: $171K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in Vermont can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $60,966, experienced partners earn $210,000 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in Vermont

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$177,000
Entry: $135K Senior: $261K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$111,000
Entry: $93K Senior: $165K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$66,000
Entry: $45K Senior: $99K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$51,000
Entry: $30K Senior: $90K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$117,000
Entry: $69K Senior: $191K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$58,800
Entry: $39K Senior: $89K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$43,200
Entry: $33K Senior: $57K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In Vermont, BigLaw pays $118,200 more than government roles ($177,000 vs $58,800). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in Vermont

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $149K Entry: $87K | Senior: $228K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $139K Entry: $90K | Senior: $240K ⚖ Antitrust Law $135K Entry: $87K | Senior: $228K 📈 Securities Law $129K Entry: $84K | Senior: $216K 🏛 Corporate Law $124K Entry: $81K | Senior: $210K © Intellectual Property $120K Entry: $75K | Senior: $192K 🏦 Banking & Finance $119K Entry: $78K | Senior: $201K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $111K Entry: $69K | Senior: $177K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $111K Entry: $69K | Senior: $177K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $107K Entry: $66K | Senior: $171K 📊 Tax Law $105K Entry: $66K | Senior: $168K ⚖ Energy Law $105K Entry: $66K | Senior: $168K 🌐 International Law $103K Entry: $63K | Senior: $165K 🎬 Entertainment Law $101K Entry: $51K | Senior: $165K ⚖ International Trade Law $101K Entry: $63K | Senior: $162K 🏥 Healthcare Law $99K Entry: $60K | Senior: $159K ⚖ Government Contracts $99K Entry: $60K | Senior: $159K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $93K Entry: $57K | Senior: $150K ⚖ Aviation Law $93K Entry: $57K | Senior: $147K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $89K Entry: $45K | Senior: $144K ⚖ Maritime Law $89K Entry: $53K | Senior: $141K 🔨 Litigation $89K Entry: $57K | Senior: $150K 👔 Employment Law $85K Entry: $53K | Senior: $138K ⚖ Sports Law $85K Entry: $45K | Senior: $141K 🏠 Real Estate $83K Entry: $51K | Senior: $132K 🏗 Construction Law $83K Entry: $49K | Senior: $132K 🌿 Environmental Law $81K Entry: $49K | Senior: $129K 🛒 Insurance Law $77K Entry: $47K | Senior: $123K 🩹 Personal Injury $75K Entry: $39K | Senior: $120K 📜 Estate Planning $65K Entry: $37K | Senior: $105K ⚖ Education Law $63K Entry: $37K | Senior: $99K 👪 Family Law $62K Entry: $35K | Senior: $99K 🚓 Criminal Law $59K Entry: $31K | Senior: $93K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $59K Entry: $39K | Senior: $89K 🧰 Workers Compensation $59K Entry: $35K | Senior: $93K ⚖ Criminal Defense $59K Entry: $31K | Senior: $93K 👴 Elder Law $55K Entry: $33K | Senior: $87K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $53K Entry: $31K | Senior: $87K 🌍 Immigration Law $52K Entry: $33K | Senior: $84K
Practice Area Comparison

In Vermont, Patent Law lawyers earn $97,316 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($148,954 vs $51,638). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

Vermont Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 2,500+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 1 ABA Law Schools
📍 Burlington Largest Legal Market
📈 103% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in Vermont

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 8.3 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $177K
4.9 yrs
In-House $117K
7.4 yrs
Government $59K
14.7 yrs PSLF eligible
At Vermont's average salary of $105,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 8.3 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How Vermont compares to neighboring states

Vermont Current
$105K
New York
$198K +89%
Massachusetts
$167K +59%
New Hampshire
$115K +10%
Maine
$102K -3%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

Vermont has a cost of living 3% above the national average. While lawyer salaries are 40% below national, the higher expenses may offset some gains. Median home price: $350,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in Vermont is $105,000, which is 40% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $60,966 for entry-level positions to $210,000 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in Vermont, with an average salary of $148,954. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $87,000, while senior attorneys can earn $228,000 or more.

First-year lawyers in Vermont earn an average of $60,966. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $135,000+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $39,000 to $45,000.

Major BigLaw firms in Vermont typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in Vermont is approximately $177,000, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

Vermont ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $105,000 is 40% lower than compared to New York ($198K), Massachusetts ($167K), New Hampshire ($115K).

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