Vermont Teaching Salaries and Benefits
Vermont teachers earn a median annual salary ranging from about $63,000 for kindergarten and elementary teachers to $76,220 for high school teachers, according to BLS data. Teachers also qualify for a defined-benefit pension through the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement System (VSTRS) and health coverage through the Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI). Pension amounts depend on years of service, final average compensation, and age at retirement.
Sponsored School(s)
Vermont teacher pay varies by grade level, with high school teachers earning the most and kindergarten teachers earning the least on average. Beyond salary, the state’s teachers build toward a defined-benefit pension through VSTRS and get access to negotiated health coverage through VEHI, two benefits that add real value on top of the paycheck.
Learn more about becoming a teacher. Contact schools offering Vermont teacher certification requirements.
Vermont Teacher Salaries by Grade Level
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Vermont teacher pay differs meaningfully by grade level. Middle and high school teachers in Vermont out-earn the national median for their grade level, while kindergarten and elementary teachers land close to the national figures.
| Grade Level | Median Annual | Mean Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $63,280 | $68,220 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $63,070 | $68,410 |
| Middle School Teachers | $73,940 | $72,710 |
| High School Teachers | $76,220 | $72,350 |
| Grade Level | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten Teachers | $79,650 | $89,030 |
| Elementary School Teachers | $78,800 | $97,230 |
| Middle School Teachers | $81,630 | $97,630 |
| High School Teachers | $80,510 | $99,830 |
Nationally, elementary school teachers earned a median annual salary of $63,970 as of May 2025, putting Vermont’s elementary teachers slightly below the national figure. Middle and high school teachers in Vermont earn well above their national medians of $64,370 and $72,040, respectively, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Retirement Benefits for Vermont Teachers (VSTRS)
Vermont teachers become members of the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement System (VSTRS) upon hire, a defined-benefit pension plan covering more than 21,000 active and retired members as of June 30, 2025.
Teachers qualify for normal retirement with full benefits at age 65, or at any age once their years of age and service credit combined equal 90, known as the “Rule of 90.” The plan is a defined-benefit structure, meaning the payout is set by a formula rather than by investment performance. Member contribution rates are tiered based on base salary and set annually by the Vermont legislature, so the exact percentage a teacher pays depends on where their salary falls on the current year’s tier schedule, published by the Office of the State Treasurer.
For most current teachers (Group C, covering anyone hired on or after July 1, 1990), VSTRS calculates the annual pension benefit using three factors: years of service credit, age at retirement, and average final compensation. The formula multiplies 1.67% by average final compensation by years of service, up to a combined maximum of 53.34%. A teacher who worked 30 years with an average final compensation of $55,000 would receive an annual pension of roughly $27,555.
Vermont also offers a voluntary deferred compensation plan for teachers who want to save beyond their pension contributions, with tax-deferred growth on contributions.
Full plan details, including current contribution rates and benefit calculators, are available through the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement System (VSTRS).
Health Insurance for Vermont Teachers (VEHI)
Vermont public school teachers access health coverage through the Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI), a purchasing pool that negotiates plans on behalf of participating districts. Each district selects which VEHI plan option to offer its staff, so the specific plan available to a teacher depends on their district rather than a single statewide default.
The VEHI plan options are similar in coverage, differing mainly in premium and out-of-pocket cost structure. Active employees are covered for primary care visits, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, chiropractic care, mental health services, and emergency room visits.
Many districts add supplemental benefits on top of the core VEHI plan, such as low-cost prescription coverage, dental insurance, and long-term disability coverage.
Details on current plan options and premiums are available through the Vermont Education Health Initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do teachers make in Vermont?
Vermont teacher salaries range from a median of $63,070 for elementary teachers to $76,220 for high school teachers, according to BLS data from May 2025. Middle and high school teachers earn noticeably more than kindergarten and elementary teachers in the state.
What retirement benefits do Vermont teachers get?
Vermont teachers earn a defined-benefit pension through the Vermont State Teachers’ Retirement System (VSTRS), calculated using years of service, age, and average final compensation. Teacher contributions are tiered by base salary and set annually by the legislature, and teachers can retire with full benefits at 65 or when age plus service credit equals 90, known as the Rule of 90.
Does Vermont offer health insurance to teachers?
Yes. Vermont teachers access health coverage through the Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI), which negotiates plan options that districts choose from. Coverage includes primary care, hospital care, mental health services, and emergency care, with many districts adding dental and disability benefits.
Do Vermont teacher salaries vary by district?
Yes. BLS figures reflect statewide averages, but actual pay depends on the district’s salary schedule, which factors in years of experience and education level such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Districts negotiate their own pay scales through local collective bargaining.
How does Vermont teacher pay compare to the national average?
Vermont kindergarten teachers earn slightly above the national median, while elementary teachers earn slightly below it. Middle and high school teachers in Vermont earn well above their national medians, according to BLS data.
- Pay varies sharply by grade level — Vermont middle and high school teachers earn a median of $73,940 and $76,220, well above kindergarten and elementary teachers.
- VSTRS pension depends on three factors — years of service, age at retirement, and final average compensation determine the payout, not personal contributions alone.
- Full retirement requires age 65 or the 90-point rule — teachers qualify for full VSTRS benefits at 65, or earlier once age and service credit combined reach 90.
- Health coverage runs through VEHI, not a single statewide plan — each district selects its own VEHI plan option, so coverage details can vary by employer.
Find accredited teacher certification programs in Vermont, including application requirements and licensing timelines for your certification path.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS wage estimates and 2024-2034 employment projections for Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers, Middle School Teachers, and High School Teachers, reflect state and national data, not school-specific outcomes. State or district job-growth projections are sourced separately from national BLS outlook data. Conditions vary by school sector, subject area, and district. Data accessed July 2026.
