Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Unemployment rate
1990–2024BLS state series.
Employment
Vermont's labor force totals approximately 343,000, supported by healthcare, education, manufacturing, and tourism employers.
Total nonfarm payroll jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED VTNA).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation (%) | 64.5 | 62.5 |
- •Vermont faces a structural labor shortage due to an aging workforce.
- •UVM Medical Center is the state's largest hospital employer.
- •Union membership stands at 10.4%, near the national average.
Unemployment
Vermont's unemployment rate of 2.3% is among the lowest in the nation, reflecting a tight labor market.
Unemployment rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average of seasonally adjusted months (FRED VTUR).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate (%) | 2.3 | 3.7 |
- •Vermont's unemployment rate is among the five lowest in the U.S.
- •Labor shortages are driven partly by the state's aging population.
- •Unemployment spiked to 5.9% during the 2020 pandemic before recovering quickly.
Labor Force
Vermont's labor force numbers approximately 343,000 people, a relatively small but stable workforce.
Civilian labor force
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED VTLF).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation (%) | 64.5 | 62.5 |
- •Vermont's labor force is one of the smallest of any state due to low population.
- •In-migration since 2020 has helped offset an aging native workforce.
- •Seasonal tourism jobs fluctuate significantly by season.
Occupations
Vermont's largest occupational groups include healthcare practitioners, office and administrative support, education, and food service roles.
Workers in management, business, science and arts occupations
2008–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian employed 16+, C24010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare share of employment (%) | 18.5 | 16 |
- •UVM Medical Center is the largest single employer in the state.
- •Seasonal tourism jobs peak during ski season and fall foliage.
- •Maple syrup production supports thousands of seasonal agricultural jobs.
Salaries
Vermont's mean annual wage is approximately $49,800, with the state minimum wage set at $13.67 in 2024.
Average weekly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU50000000500000011).
Average hourly earnings, private sector
2007–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, annual average (FRED SMU50000000500000003).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Mean annual wage ($) | 49800 | 61900 |
- •Vermont's minimum wage of $13.67 (2024) ranks among the highest in the U.S.
- •Healthcare and manufacturing jobs offer some of the highest wages in the state.
- •Union membership at 10.4% is close to the national average.
Remote Work
About 18.5% of Vermont's workforce works remotely, one of the higher shares in the nation, boosted by post-2020 in-migration.
Workers who work from home
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of workers 16+, B08301 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Remote work share (%) | 18.5 | 13.8 |
- •Vermont's remote work share rose from 6.5% pre-pandemic to nearly 19% by 2021.
- •Many remote workers relocated from Massachusetts, New York, and Connecticut.
- •Rural broadband expansion has supported growth in remote work.
Workforce Participation
Vermont's labor force participation rate of 64.5% exceeds the national average, reflecting strong employment demand and an active older workforce.
Labor force participation rate
1976–2024BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average (FRED LBSSA50).
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation (%) | 64.5 | 62.5 |
- •Vermont's participation rate is higher than the U.S. average despite an older population.
- •Many older Vermonters remain in the workforce longer than the national norm.
- •Remote work options have helped retain participation among rural residents.