Burlington, VT Federal Pay at a Glance

GS-12 Step 5
$103,514
$3,981/biweekly
GS-13 Step 5
$123,092
$4,734/biweekly
Locality Rate
+19.45%
above base pay
GS-15 Step 10
$196,258
$7,548/biweekly

Burlington, VT Locality Pay in Context

The Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT locality rate of 19.45% ranks #37 out of 48 federal pay areas in 2026. This is a below-average locality rate. Federal employees here may find their pay stretches further due to lower cost of living. Rates range from 17.06% (Rest of U.S.) to 46.34% (San Jose, CA). Covers Burlington, South Burlington, and surrounding Chittenden County, Vermont.

Major federal employers in Burlington, VT include VA, CBP, IRS, USPS, USDA. Locality pay is based on your duty station, not where you live — so if you telework from Burlington, VT but your office is in another pay area, your locality rate may differ.

Burlington, VT GS Pay Table 2026

Annual salaries for federal employees in the Burlington, VT locality area, including locality pay adjustment. All figures reflect 2026 OPM rates.

GradeStep 1Step 2Step 3Step 4Step 5Step 6Step 7Step 8Step 9Step 10
GS-5$41,567$42,953$44,339$45,724$47,110$48,496$49,881$51,267$52,652$54,038
GS-7$51,490$53,207$54,923$56,640$58,356$60,073$61,789$63,506$65,222$66,939
GS-9$62,982$65,082$67,182$69,282$71,382$73,482$75,582$77,682$79,782$81,882
GS-11$76,203$78,744$81,285$83,825$86,366$88,907$91,447$93,988$96,529$99,069
GS-12$91,335$94,380$97,425$100,469$103,514$106,559$109,604$112,649$115,693$118,738
GS-13$108,610$112,230$115,851$119,472$123,092$126,713$130,333$133,954$137,574$141,195
GS-14$128,344$132,623$136,902$141,180$145,459$149,738$154,016$158,295$162,574$166,853
GS-15$150,966$155,998$161,031$166,063$171,095$176,128$181,160$186,193$191,225$196,258

Calculate Your Exact Burlington, VT Salary

Use the interactive calculator below to find your specific grade, step, and pay breakdown. Pre-set to the Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT locality area.

Calculate Your GS Pay

2026 Pay: GS-15 Step 6

Locality: Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT
Base Annual
$147,449
Locality Adj. (+19.45%)
$28,679
Total Annual
$176,128
Biweekly
$6,774
Hourly: $84.39

About GS Pay

  • • Pay data effective 2026-01-11
  • • Biweekly pay assumes 26 pay periods per year
  • • Hourly rate calculated using 2,087 hours per year (OPM standard)
  • 60 locality areas available
  • • Salaries capped at Executive Schedule Level IV ($197,200 in 2026)
  • • Paycheck breakdown is an estimate - actual deductions vary by individual circumstances

How Burlington, VT Compares to Nearby Localities

PositionBurlington, VT
+19.45%
Albany, NY
+20.77%
Boston, MA
+32.58%
GS-12 Step 1$91,335$92,344
+$1,009
$101,375
+$10,040
GS-12 Step 5$103,514$104,658
+$1,144
$114,893
+$11,379
GS-13 Step 5$123,092$124,452
+$1,360
$136,622
+$13,530
GS-15 Step 10$196,258$197,200*
+$942
$197,200*
+$942

* Salary capped at Executive Level IV ($197,200 in 2026). Differences shown relative to Burlington, VT.

At GS-12 Step 5, federal employees in Boston, MA earn $11,379 more per year than those in Burlington, VT, while those in Albany, NY earn $1,144 more.

Career Salary Growth in Burlington, VT

Here is how a typical federal career progresses in the Burlington, VT locality area, assuming competitive promotions through the career ladder:

TimelinePositionBurlington, VT Salary
Year 1GS-7 Step 1$51,490
Year 3GS-9 Step 1$62,982
Year 5GS-11 Step 1$76,203
Year 7GS-12 Step 3$97,425
Year 12GS-13 Step 5$123,092
Year 20GS-14 Step 10$166,853

Assumes career-ladder promotions every 2-3 years with satisfactory performance. Actual progression varies by position and agency.

Related Federal Calculators

Browse GS Pay by Locality

Frequently Asked Questions: GS Pay in Burlington, VT

How much does a GS-12 make in Burlington, VT in 2026?

A GS-12 in the Burlington-South Burlington-Barre, VT locality area earns between $91,335 (Step 1) and $118,738 (Step 10) in 2026, with the 19.45% locality adjustment applied.

What is the locality pay percentage for Burlington, VT?

The Burlington, VT locality pay adjustment is 19.45% in 2026. This means a federal employee's base pay is multiplied by 1.1945 to determine their total salary. For example, a GS-12 Step 5 base of $86,659 becomes $103,514.

How does Burlington, VT federal pay compare to nearby areas?

Burlington, VT has a 19.45% locality rate. Nearby areas include Albany, NY (20.77%), Boston, MA (32.58%). Use the comparison table above to see exact salary differences at each grade and step.

What is the GS pay cap in Burlington, VT?

GS salaries in Burlington, VT are capped at Executive Level IV: $197,200 in 2026. At 19.45% locality, GS-15 Step 10 earns $196,258, which is below the cap.

Which federal agencies have offices in Burlington, VT?

Major federal employers in the Burlington, VT area include VA, CBP, IRS, USPS, USDA. Covers Burlington, South Burlington, and surrounding Chittenden County, Vermont.

How is locality pay determined?

Locality pay is based on where you work (duty station), not where you live. The Federal Salary Council recommends adjustments based on surveys comparing federal and private-sector pay in each area. The Burlington, VT area at 19.45% reflects the local cost of labor.