Vermont’s highest-paying jobs reflect the state’s strong foundation in healthcare, environmental science, government, and engineering, alongside a growing emphasis on renewable energy and advanced technology. With a blend of rural communities, high-quality healthcare systems, and specialized industries, Vermont rewards professionals who bring advanced education, leadership skills, or technical expertise. From surgeons and nurse anesthetists to renewable energy engineers and cybersecurity leaders, these top roles highlight Vermont’s commitment to public health, sustainability, and innovation-driven economic growth.

Highest-paying Jobs In Vermont: Where Money Meets Skill

1. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

CEOs in Vermont lead companies in sectors like healthcare, finance, energy, education, and specialty manufacturing. They set strategy, oversee major decisions, and ensure financial stability. Vermont’s smaller corporate landscape means CEOs often work closely with communities and state institutions, making leadership more hands-on than in larger markets. Strong communication, long-term vision, and operational expertise are essential. Compensation reflects the responsibility of guiding organizations through economic shifts, regulatory environments, and Vermont’s unique mix of rural and innovation-driven industries.

2. Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

CFOs manage financial operations, budgeting, investment strategies, and compliance for hospitals, banks, universities, and major employers. Vermont’s CFOs often have broader responsibilities than in large metropolitan markets, overseeing accounting, risk management, and financial planning across multiple divisions. Their work supports long-term stability in industries ranging from renewable energy to healthcare. High salaries reflect the analytical skills, experience, and accountability required to steer institutions through evolving markets, rising healthcare costs, and statewide economic development initiatives.

3. Chief Medical Officer (CMO)

CMOs oversee clinical programs, patient safety, physician performance, and medical policy within Vermont’s hospital networks and major healthcare systems. They bridge administration and medical teams, ensuring care quality and regulatory compliance. Vermont’s aging population and strong emphasis on community health elevate this role’s importance. CMOs typically have extensive clinical backgrounds, board certification, and leadership training. Their compensation reflects responsibility for coordinating complex care systems, maintaining standards, and supporting innovation in rural and telehealth medicine.

4. Chief Operating Officer (COO)

COOs manage day-to-day business functions, operations, and institutional performance. In Vermont, they are crucial in hospitals, universities, manufacturing firms, and financial organizations. They streamline systems, oversee staffing, and ensure efficient resource allocation in environments often balancing rural service regions with modern operational demands. COOs must combine strong leadership, logistical skills, and problem-solving ability to keep organizations running smoothly. Their pay reflects the complexity of ensuring operational success across diverse sectors with tight budgets and evolving regulations.

5. Chief Information Officer (CIO)

CIOs direct technology strategy for healthcare networks, universities, banks, insurance companies, and public agencies. They oversee cybersecurity, data management, IT staff, and system upgrades. Vermont’s CIOs often manage statewide tech programs or remote-work infrastructures for distributed teams. With cybersecurity threats rising and digital transformation expanding, they play a critical role in modernization. Their compensation reflects responsibility for protecting sensitive data, supporting innovation, and maintaining secure, efficient technology systems in both public and private sectors.

6. President (Company or Division)

Company and institutional presidents manage strategic direction, operations, and high-level organizational performance. In Vermont, this includes leaders of universities, banks, hospital divisions, and major manufacturing firms. They oversee budgets, coordinate executive teams, and represent organizations publicly. With fewer large corporations, Vermont presidents often balance regional service needs with growth and innovation. Strong leadership, financial expertise, and strategic planning define the role. These salaries reflect the accountability and influence required to maintain stability and regional economic impact.

7. Executive Director (Major Nonprofit)

Executive directors oversee Vermont’s highly active nonprofit sector, including healthcare foundations, environmental organizations, higher education institutions, and social-service networks. They manage budgets, staff, fundraising, and public partnerships. Vermont’s community focus and policy environment create a strong demand for mission-driven leadership. These leaders often interact directly with state agencies and local stakeholders. Compensation reflects the challenge of maintaining fiscal health, program effectiveness, and public trust in organizations addressing community needs, conservation initiatives, and educational advancement.

8. Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists diagnose and treat mental health conditions in private practices, hospitals, and community clinics. Vermont’s rural nature and aging population increase demand for mental-health services, particularly in telepsychiatry, addiction treatment, and geriatric care. Psychiatrists collaborate with primary-care providers and social-service agencies to support patients statewide. Their high salaries reflect extensive medical training, board certification, and the pressing need for mental-health specialists addressing rising behavioral-health needs in both rural and regional clinical environments.

9. Family Medicine Physician

Family physicians provide primary care across Vermont, serving individuals and families in small towns, rural areas, and community clinics. They manage chronic illness, preventive care, and diagnostics. Demand is strong because Vermont prioritizes community healthcare and faces physician shortages in rural regions. These doctors build long-term patient relationships and coordinate specialist referrals. Their compensation reflects clinical expertise, broad medical knowledge, and the critical role they play in supporting public health and rural healthcare access statewide.

10. Surgeon

Surgeons perform complex medical procedures in hospitals and specialty centers across Vermont. They work in trauma care, orthopedics, oncology, cardiovascular medicine, and general surgery. High pay reflects extensive training, long hours, and the precision required for life-saving procedures. Vermont’s hospitals rely heavily on specialized surgeons, particularly given limited access in rural areas. Surgeons collaborate closely with care teams and handle emergencies, making them vital to the state’s healthcare infrastructure and patient health outcomes.

11. Anesthesiologist

Anesthesiologists manage anesthesia during surgeries, emergency procedures, and pain-management programs. In Vermont, they serve hospitals, outpatient surgical centers, and specialized clinics. Their work requires deep knowledge of physiology, medications, and acute-care monitoring. These specialists ensure patient safety before, during, and after operations. High salaries reflect their responsibility for life-critical care, trauma support, and complex surgical environments. Vermont’s healthcare systems depend on experienced anesthesiologists to support surgical volume and safe operating-room procedures statewide.

12. Internist (General Medicine)

Internists provide comprehensive care for adult patients, managing chronic illnesses, complex medical conditions, and preventive health. In Vermont, they serve hospitals, private practices, and community-care networks. Internists often treat aging populations and coordinate multi-specialty treatment plans. Their broad clinical knowledge supports disease management and long-term patient wellness. High earnings reflect the role’s importance in maintaining statewide health services, especially in rural communities where internists fill critical primary-care and internal-medicine gaps.

13. Dentist

Dentists diagnose and treat oral health issues, perform restorative procedures, and provide preventive care. Vermont clinics and private practices rely on dentists due to limited specialists in rural areas. Demand includes general dentistry, orthodontics, and dental surgery. Dentists balance clinical work with practice management, staff leadership, and patient education. Their compensation reflects extensive training, equipment investment, and the essential role oral health plays in overall wellness. Rural regions often offer higher pay to attract qualified providers.

14. Pharmacist

Pharmacists dispense medications, advise patients, and support treatment plans. In Vermont, they work in hospitals, clinics, community pharmacies, and long-term-care facilities. Pharmacists collaborate with physicians and provide critical guidance on prescriptions, dosing, and drug interactions. Their work is vital in managing chronic illness, aging populations, and rural healthcare access. Salaries reflect the responsibility of medication safety, patient counseling, and the growing role pharmacists play in immunization and community-based healthcare support.

15. Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

CRNAs administer anesthesia and monitor patients during surgical procedures, often working independently in smaller hospitals and surgical centers. Vermont relies heavily on CRNAs due to rural coverage needs and high surgical demand. They collaborate with surgeons and anesthesiologists to ensure safe anesthesia care. Compensation reflects advanced training, certification, and significant responsibility in emergency settings, outpatient operations, and hospital surgeries. CRNAs play an essential role in extending access to specialized care across remote areas.

16. Physician Assistant (PA)

PAs provide primary care, diagnostics, and treatment alongside physicians in clinics, hospitals, and specialty practices. In Vermont, they are especially vital in rural and underserved communities where physician shortages exist. PAs handle exams, order tests, prescribe medications, and assist in surgery. Their role expands healthcare access and reduces wait times. High earnings reflect advanced medical training, autonomy in patient care, and the importance of flexible, multi-specialty providers in supporting statewide healthcare delivery.

17. Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Nurse practitioners serve as primary-care providers, managing diagnoses, treatment plans, and preventive care. Vermont allows full practice authority, meaning NPs can operate independently, especially in rural areas. They support family medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, and mental-health care. NPs offer crucial access in communities with limited physician availability. Their compensation reflects advanced clinical education, autonomy, and their growing role in meeting primary-care and chronic-disease-management needs across the state’s diverse population.

18. Optometrist

Optometrists diagnose and treat vision conditions, prescribe corrective lenses, and detect eye diseases. Vermont relies on optometrists to serve both rural towns and regional centers where ophthalmologists may be less accessible. They provide routine exams, manage chronic eye conditions, and refer patients for surgical care when needed. Their earnings reflect specialized education, practice management responsibilities, and essential vision-health services supporting quality of life for residents across all age groups.

19. Podiatrist

Podiatrists specialize in foot and ankle conditions, performing surgeries, prescribing orthotics, and treating sports injuries, diabetic complications, and chronic pain. Vermont’s aging population and active outdoor lifestyle increase demand for podiatric care. These specialists often operate private clinics or work in hospitals and rehabilitation centers. High salaries reflect specialized medical training, patient demand, and the importance of foot health in mobility and long-term wellness, especially in rural communities and orthopedic-focused healthcare settings.

20. Law Firm Partner

Senior partner attorneys in Vermont lead legal practices in areas like business law, environmental law, real-estate development, litigation, and estate planning. They manage major cases, oversee firm strategy, and build client relationships across industries including renewable energy, healthcare, and agriculture. Their compensation reflects expertise, billings, firm ownership shares, and reputation in the community. In Vermont, partners often handle diverse legal issues and maintain direct community relationships, balancing local needs with complex legal demands.

Top 100 Highest-Paid Jobs in Vermont (Table)

#	Job Title	Salary Range (USD)
1	Chief Executive Officer (CEO)	$180,000 – $400,000+
2	Chief Financial Officer (CFO)	$150,000 – $250,000+
3	Chief Medical Officer (CMO)	$200,000 – $350,000+
4	Chief Operating Officer (COO)	$140,000 – $230,000+
5	Chief Information Officer (CIO)	$130,000 – $210,000+
6	President (Company/Division)	$160,000 – $300,000+
7	Executive Director (Large Non-profit)	$100,000 – $160,000+
8	Psychiatrist	$220,000 – $300,000+
9	Family Medicine Physician	$200,000 – $270,000+
10	Surgeon	$250,000 – $400,000+
11	Anesthesiologist	$300,000 – $400,000+
12	Internist	$190,000 – $260,000+
13	Dentist	$150,000 – $250,000+
14	Pharmacist	$120,000 – $145,000+
15	Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)	$180,000 – $220,000+
16	Physician Assistant (PA)	$110,000 – $140,000+
17	Nurse Practitioner (NP)	$110,000 – $135,000+
18	Optometrist	$120,000 – $170,000+
19	Podiatrist	$130,000 – $190,000+
20	Law Firm Partner	$150,000 – $300,000+
21	General Counsel	$130,000 – $200,000+
22	Attorney (Senior)	$100,000 – $160,000+
23	Engineering Manager	$120,000 – $170,000+
24	Senior Electrical Engineer	$100,000 – $135,000+
25	Senior Mechanical Engineer	$100,000 – $135,000+
26	Civil Engineer (Senior/PM)	$95,000 – $130,000+
27	Architectural Manager	$110,000 – $150,000+
28	Senior Chemical Engineer	$105,000 – $140,000+
29	IT Director	$110,000 – $160,000+
30	Senior Software Developer	$95,000 – $130,000+
31	Lead Systems Administrator	$85,000 – $115,000+
32	Senior Information Security Analyst	$100,000 – $135,000+
33	VP of Finance	$130,000 – $190,000+
34	Chief Lending Officer	$120,000 – $170,000+
35	Portfolio Manager	$115,000 – $165,000+
36	Actuary (Fellow)	$120,000 – $170,000+
37	Financial Manager	$110,000 – $155,000+
38	Accounting Manager/Director	$100,000 – $140,000+
39	Budget Director	$95,000 – $130,000+
40	Senior Trust Officer	$90,000 – $120,000+
41	Sales Director	$110,000 – $180,000+
42	VP of Sales	$130,000 – $220,000+
43	Marketing Director	$100,000 – $145,000+
44	College President	$200,000 – $400,000+
45	University Dean	$120,000 – $180,000+
46	School Superintendent	$100,000 – $150,000+
47	High School Principal	$85,000 – $110,000+
48	Airline Pilot	$100,000 – $200,000+
49	Commercial Pilot	$80,000 – $120,000+
50	Power Plant Manager	$110,000 – $150,000+
51	Construction Manager	$95,000 – $130,000+
52	Natural Sciences Manager	$120,000 – $160,000+
53	HR Director	$100,000 – $140,000+
54	Training & Development Manager	$95,000 – $125,000+
55	Public Relations Manager	$90,000 – $120,000+
56	Compensation & Benefits Manager	$100,000 – $135,000+
57	Supply Chain Manager	$95,000 – $125,000+
58	Logistics Manager	$90,000 – $120,000+
59	Farm Manager (Large)	$70,000 – $100,000+
60	Veterinarian	$90,000 – $130,000+
61	Physical Therapy Director	$95,000 – $120,000+
62	Occupational Therapy Director	$90,000 – $115,000+
63	Speech-Language Pathology Director	$85,000 – $110,000+
64	Senior Environmental Engineer	$85,000 – $115,000+
65	Senior Geoscientist	$90,000 – $120,000+
66	Senior Hydrologist	$85,000 – $115,000+
67	Urban & Regional Planner (Senior)	$80,000 – $105,000+
68	Social & Community Services Manager	$75,000 – $100,000+
69	Medical & Health Services Manager	$100,000 – $140,000+
70	Senior Clinical Research Coordinator	$80,000 – $110,000+
71	Powerhouse Electrical Repairer	$70,000 – $95,000+
72	Power Distributor & Dispatcher	$75,000 – $100,000+
73	Elevator Installer/Repairer	$70,000 – $95,000+
74	Radiation Therapist	$85,000 – $110,000+
75	Diagnostic Medical Sonographer	$75,000 – $95,000+
76	Respiratory Therapy Director	$90,000 – $115,000+
77	MRI Technologist	$75,000 – $95,000+
78	Nuclear Medicine Technologist	$80,000 – $100,000+
79	Dental Hygienist	$70,000 – $90,000+
80	Industrial Production Manager	$100,000 – $135,000+
81	Food Scientist	$80,000 – $110,000+
82	Water/Wastewater Engineer	$85,000 – $115,000+
83	Telecommunications Engineer	$90,000 – $120,000+
84	Computer Network Architect	$100,000 – $135,000+
85	Database Administrator	$90,000 – $120,000+
86	Network Administrator	$80,000 – $105,000+
87	Senior Web Developer	$85,000 – $115,000+
88	Lead Software QA Analyst	$90,000 – $120,000+
89	Senior Computer Systems Analyst	$85,000 – $115,000+
90	Information Security Analyst	$95,000 – $125,000+
91	Data Scientist	$100,000 – $135,000+
92	Operations Research Analyst	$90,000 – $120,000+
93	Statistician	$85,000 – $115,000+
94	Economist	$90,000 – $120,000+
95	Survey Researcher	$75,000 – $100,000+
96	Psychologist	$90,000 – $120,000+
97	Sociologist	$75,000 – $100,000+
98	Political Scientist	$80,000 – $110,000+
99	Librarian (Director)	$80,000 – $105,000+
100	Senior Postsecondary Professor	$90,000 – $130,000+

Closing Summary

Vermont may be one of the smallest states in population, but its economy offers exceptional career opportunities, particularly in medicine, engineering, public administration, and specialized tech fields. High-skill roles command strong salaries thanks to healthcare demand, environmental stewardship, and evolving energy and technology sectors. Whether you’re building a career in science, leadership, or skilled trades, Vermont provides competitive compensation paired with a high quality of life, natural beauty, and a strong sense of community — a rewarding place to grow both professionally and personally.