2026 Tax Year · Single Filer · Vermont

$15 an Hour in Vermont — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)

At $15/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $31,200. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Vermont state income tax, your take-home pay is $12.70/hr. In Vermont's high cost-of-living environment, this is below what's needed for comfortable living in Vermont.

Gross Annual

$31,200

Net Annual
$26,422

Net Monthly

$2,202

Net Hourly

$12.70

Pay Period Breakdown

Hourly $15.00 $2.30 $12.70

Daily (8 hrs) $120.00 $18.38 $101.62

Weekly (40 hrs) $600.00 $91.89 $508.11

Biweekly $1,200.00 $183.78 $1,016.22

Monthly $2,600.00 $398.19 $2,201.81

Annual $31,200 $4,778 $26,422

Full Tax Breakdown — Vermont, Single Filer

Gross Annual Income $15/hr × 2,080 hrs $31,200

Federal Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Federal Taxable Income $15,100

Federal Income Tax 5.0% −$1,564.00

Social Security (6.2%) up to $184,500 −$1,934.40

Medicare (1.45%) −$452.40

Vermont Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$6,500

Vermont State Income Tax 2.7% −$827.45

Total Tax 15.3% effective −$4,778.25

Net Take-Home $26,422

How Does Vermont Compare?

See how $15/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:

California $422.38 $2,236/mo $26,827 Florida None $2,271/mo $27,249 New York $958.25 $2,191/mo $26,291 Texas None $2,271/mo $27,249 Washington None $2,271/mo $27,249

Open Full Calculator for Vermont — $15/hr →

Equivalent Annual Salary Pages

$15/hr = $31,200/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:

Adjacent Rates in Vermont

Same Rate, Other States

Cost of Living in Vermont

✗ Difficult — $15/hr falls short in Vermont

Avg 1BR rent in Burlington: $1,400/mo — over the 30% rule (54% of gross monthly)
Minimum comfortable income in Vermont: $48,000/yr
Your net annual: $26,422 ($21,578 below comfortable threshold)
Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$13.1/hr

Working at $15/hr in Vermont

Vermont has a high minimum wage and tight labor market — workers at this level are in demand. Burlington 1BR rents average $1,500/month. The progressive income tax starts modestly at 3.35%, but escalates. Vermont's quality of life is exceptional but financially constraining at lower wages.

At $15/hr, you work roughly 111 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Burlington ($1,400/mo) -- that's above the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 1.1x Vermont's minimum wage of $14.01/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $15/hr in Vermont is 15.3% -- federal income tax accounts for 5.0%, FICA 7.7%, and Vermont state tax 2.7%.

Vermont has a small, high-quality economy centered on healthcare, education, tourism (skiing, fall foliage), technology, and specialty food/agriculture (Ben & Jerry's). The labor market is very tight due to the small, aging population. Remote work has increased Vermont's attractiveness.

Vermont has a progressive income tax with rates from 3.35% to 8.75%. The top rate applies at $204k+, but the 6.6% bracket starts around $41k for single filers — creating a meaningful mid-income burden.

Vermont's minimum wage is $14.01/hr (2026), indexed to inflation.

Monthly Budget on $15/hr in Vermont

Based on $2,202/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Vermont's cost of living.

Rent / Housing $1,400 $16,800 63.6%

Food (groceries + dining) $264 $3,168 12.0%

Transportation $220 $2,640 10.0%

Utilities $132 $1,584 6.0%

Healthcare $110 $1,320 5.0%

Entertainment $110 $1,320 5.0%

Savings (10% target) $220 $2,640 10.0%

Remaining / Surplus $-254 $-3,048 -11.5%

⚠ This budget is underwater — rent alone exceeds the 30% guideline in Vermont at $15/hr. Consider roommates, lower-cost areas, or targeting a higher wage to reach balance.

Overtime Pay — $15/hr in Vermont

At time-and-a-half ($22.50/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Vermont. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~16.8%.

5 hrs/week $113 $94 $4,700

10 hrs/week $225 $187 $9,350

20 hrs/week $450 $374 $18,700

Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $15/hr

How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $12.70 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.

Tank of gas (12 gal) $50 3.4 hrs 4 hrs

Week of groceries $120 8 hrs 9.5 hrs

iPhone 16 (base) $799 53.3 hrs 62.9 hrs

1 month rent (Burlington) $1,400 93.4 hrs 110.3 hrs

Used car ($10k) $10,000 666.7 hrs 787.3 hrs

Median new car ($48k) $48,000 3200 hrs 3778.8 hrs

What Jobs Pay $15/hr in Vermont?

At $15/hour, you earn 44% below the estimated median hourly wage in Vermont. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:

barista, home health aide, security guard, warehouse associate, hotel front desk agent, call center representative

These figures reflect statewide averages for Vermont. The Burlington metro area typically pays 18% more than rural parts of the state for the same role. Specialized certifications, union membership, or government employment at this wage tier often add meaningful benefits that raise total compensation above the base hourly figure.

At 15/hr in Vermont, your net income of $26,422 falls $21,578 short of the estimated $48,000 comfortable living threshold. Roommates, a side income, or a wage increase would significantly improve financial stability.

Geographic Wage Variation Within Vermont

The $15/hr figure reflects a statewide average. Wages for the same job title can differ significantly by location within Vermont. The Burlington metro area generally commands a 18% premium over the state average, while rural areas typically pay 9% less.

Burlington metro$17.7/hr+18%Higher pay, higher COL

Vermont average$15/hrBaselineThis page's figures

Rural Vermont$13.7/hr-9%Lower pay, lower COL

When choosing between metro and rural Vermont at this wage tier, compare net monthly surplus rather than gross hourly rates. Rural areas have lower rent, shorter commutes, and lower day-to-day costs -- the purchasing power difference is often smaller than the raw wage gap suggests.

Savings Goals at $15/hr in Vermont

Saving $220/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:

Weekend getaway$3,00014 monthsFlights + hotel, domestic

3-month emergency fund$6,37829 monthsCore expenses only

6-month emergency fund$12,75658 monthsFull financial cushion

Used car (no loan)$8,00037 monthsReliable used vehicle

New car down payment$25,000114 months~50% down to minimize payments

Home down payment$7,20033 months10% on a starter home in Vermont

At 15/hr in Vermont, hitting these savings goals requires strict discipline. Track expenses for 30 days to identify spending leaks -- small cuts in food and entertainment often free up $100-$200/month without affecting quality of life.

Debt Payoff on $15/hr in Vermont

Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($330/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.

Credit card$5,000$33016 months

Student loan$30,000$33091 months

These timelines exclude interest, which meaningfully extends payoff for high-APR credit cards. Prioritize high-interest debt first. Even an extra $50/month toward a credit card balance can cut months off your payoff timeline and save hundreds in interest.

401(k) and Retirement at $15/hr

Contributing 6% ($1,872/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $287 in taxes at your 15.3% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $1,585/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $1,872 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.

Saving $2,640/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:

5 years$13,200$13,992$792 interest

10 years$26,400$28,063$1,663 interest

20 years$52,800$56,602$3,802 interest

What Would a Raise Mean at $15/hr in Vermont?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,731 to your annual net take-home in Vermont after taxes. Your marginal rate on additional income is approximately 16.8%, so you keep 83.2% of every extra dollar earned.

$1/hr raise$16/hr$1,731$144

5% raise$15.8/hr$1,384$115

10% raise$16.5/hr$2,596$216

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 15 an hour a good wage in Vermont?

15/hr in Vermont gives you $26,422/year after taxes -- below what's needed for comfortable living in Vermont. Avg 1BR rent in Burlington: $1,400/month (exceeds the 30% rule). It places you 44% below the estimated state median wage.

What is 15 an hour after taxes in Vermont?

15/hr in Vermont = $26,422/year or $2,202/month net. Effective tax rate: 15.3%, made up of 5.0% federal, 7.7% FICA, and 2.7% Vermont state tax.

What jobs pay 15 an hour in Vermont?

Common roles at 15/hr in Vermont include cashier, food service worker, retail associate. Metro areas like Burlington typically pay 18% more for the same role.

How does 15/hr go further -- Vermont or Texas?

15/hr in Vermont has similar purchasing power to ~13.1/hr in Texas. Vermont state income tax reduces take-home vs Texas.

How long to build an emergency fund at 15/hr in Vermont?

Saving $220/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $6,378 in 29 months. A 6-month fund takes 58 months.

What does a 401(k) cost at 15/hr in Vermont?

A 6% contribution ($1,872/year) saves $287 in taxes at your 15.3% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $1,585/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.

What does a $1/hr raise mean at 15/hr in Vermont?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,731/year to your net take-home in Vermont after the 16.8% marginal tax rate. You keep 83.2% of every additional dollar earned.

What is the effective tax rate at 15/hr in Vermont?

At 15/hr in Vermont, your total effective tax rate is 15.3%: federal income tax 5.0%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5%, and Vermont state tax 2.7%. You keep 84.7% of every gross dollar.

Can you afford rent in Burlington on 15/hr?

The average 1BR in Burlington is $1,400/month. At 15/hr, rent consumes 54% of your gross monthly pay -- above the 30% affordability guideline. Your net hourly rate of $12.70 means you work 111 hours per month to cover rent.

What does 15/hr look like as an annual salary?

15/hr times 2,080 hours equals $31,200/year gross. After all taxes in Vermont, your net annual income is $26,422 -- an effective take-home rate of 84.7%.