Payroll Specialist salary and cost of hiring in Vermont
The median payroll specialist in Vermont earned $55,340 a year in May 2025[1], 5.0% below the US median of $58,260. That puts Vermont at #29 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-3051. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | $45,010 | $55,340 | $70,690 | |
| United States | $39,500 | $58,260 | $81,350 |
The middle half of payroll specialists in Vermont earns $45,010–$63,710; the top tenth earns $70,690 or more, 1.6 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Vermont median that makes about $79,057 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for payroll specialists we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in Vermont
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $62,970 | 60 | |
| Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $65,250 | 60 |
Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area pays the most ($56,960) and Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area the least ($56,690): $270 a year apart for the same job.
What a payroll specialist does
A payroll specialist prepares payroll runs, checks hours and deductions, keeps employee pay records and answers staff questions about their pay.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Median | vs Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | +1.5% | |
| Pennsylvania | +0.6% | |
| Vermont | +0.0% | |
| Montana | -0.5% | |
| Nebraska | -0.8% |
Questions
How much does a payroll specialist earn in Vermont?
The median was $55,340 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $45,010 to $63,710.
What does it cost to employ a payroll specialist in Vermont?
About $79,057 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Vermont do payroll specialists earn the most?
Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area, with a median of $56,960 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3051: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433051.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.