Minimum wage in Vermont in 2027
$14.42 per hour1
per hourGeneral rate from January 1, 2026
Year 2027
Rates in force during 2027
| Applies to | Rate | Effective | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
StandardSourceBeginning January 1, 2026, the State’s minimum wage will increase from $14.01 to $14.42 per hour - an increase of $0.41.
Verified September 26, 2026 | $14.42January 1, 2026 – current | January 1, 2026 | current |
1 rate in force
Rates by worker type, industry and employer size
The highest rate that fits the job applies.
| Applies to | Rate | Cash wage | Max tip credit | Effective |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tipped employees · hotel restaurant · service or tipped employee of a hotel, motel, tourist place or restaurant who customarily and regularly receives more than $120 a month in tipsSourceMINIMUM WAGE RATE Effective 01/01/26 Effective 01/01/25 Effective 01/01/24 $14.42 per hour $14.01 per hour $13.67 per hour BASIC WAGE RATE (TIPPED EMPLOYEES) Effective 01/01/26 $7.21 per hour Effective 01/01/25 $7.01 per hour Effective 01/01/24 $6.84 per hour MAXIMUM TIP CREDIT ALLOWED Effective 01/01/26 Effective 01/01/25 Effective 01/01/24 $7.21 per hour $7.00 per hour $6.83 per hour
Verified September 26, 2026 | $14.42January 1, 2026 | $7.21 | $7.21 | January 1, 2026 |
2019 to 2026
History
Each step is a rate row with its own quoted source.
Show the history as a table
| Applies to | Rate | Effective | Until |
|---|---|---|---|
StandardSourceBeginning January 1, 2025, the State’s minimum wage will increase from $13.67 to $14.01 per hour - an increase of $0.34.
Verified September 26, 2026 | $14.01January 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2026 |
StandardSourceMINIMUM WAGE RATE Effective 01/01/26 Effective 01/01/25 Effective 01/01/24 $14.42 per hour $14.01 per hour $13.67 per hour
Verified September 26, 2026 | $13.67January 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2024 | January 1, 2025 |
StandardSourceEffective 01/01/2023: $13.18 per hour worked / $6.59 for tipped employees
Verified September 26, 2026 | $13.18January 1, 2023 – January 1, 2024 | January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2024 |
StandardSourceEffective 01/01/2022: $12.55 per hour worked / $6.28 for tipped employees
Verified September 26, 2026 | $12.55January 1, 2022 – January 1, 2023 | January 1, 2022 | January 1, 2023 |
StandardSourceEffective 01/01/2021: $11.75 per hour worked / $5.88 for tipped employees
Verified September 26, 2026 | $11.75January 1, 2021 – January 1, 2022 | January 1, 2021 | January 1, 2022 |
StandardSourceEffective 01/01/2020: $10.96 per hour worked / $5.48 for tipped employees
Verified September 26, 2026 | $10.96January 1, 2020 – January 1, 2021 | January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2021 |
StandardSourceEffective 01/01/2019: $10.78 per hour worked
Verified September 26, 2026 | $10.78January 1, 2019 – January 1, 2020 | January 1, 2019 | January 1, 2020 |
Earlier rules by employer size, worker type and condition (2)
| Applies to | Rate | Cash wage | Max tip credit | Effective | Until |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tipped employees · hotel restaurant · service or tipped employee of a hotel, motel, tourist place or restaurant who customarily and regularly receives more than $120 a month in tipsSourceMINIMUM WAGE RATE Effective 01/01/26 Effective 01/01/25 Effective 01/01/24 $14.42 per hour $14.01 per hour $13.67 per hour BASIC WAGE RATE (TIPPED EMPLOYEES) Effective 01/01/26 $7.21 per hour Effective 01/01/25 $7.01 per hour Effective 01/01/24 $6.84 per hour MAXIMUM TIP CREDIT ALLOWED Effective 01/01/26 Effective 01/01/25 Effective 01/01/24 $7.21 per hour $7.00 per hour $6.83 per hour
Verified September 26, 2026 | $14.01January 1, 2025 – January 1, 2026 | $7.01 | $7.00 | January 1, 2025 | January 1, 2026 |
Tipped employees · hotel restaurant · service or tipped employee of a hotel, motel, tourist place or restaurant who customarily and regularly receives more than $120 a month in tipsSourceMINIMUM WAGE RATE Effective 01/01/26 Effective 01/01/25 Effective 01/01/24 $14.42 per hour $14.01 per hour $13.67 per hour BASIC WAGE RATE (TIPPED EMPLOYEES) Effective 01/01/26 $7.21 per hour Effective 01/01/25 $7.01 per hour Effective 01/01/24 $6.84 per hour MAXIMUM TIP CREDIT ALLOWED Effective 01/01/26 Effective 01/01/25 Effective 01/01/24 $7.21 per hour $7.00 per hour $6.83 per hour
Verified September 26, 2026 | $13.67January 1, 2024 – January 1, 2025 | $6.84 | $6.83 | January 1, 2024 | January 1, 2025 |
BLS · May 2025
How the minimum compares with typical pay in Vermont
53%of the median hourly wage
The median hourly wage across all occupations in Vermont is $27.11 and the mean is $33.20 (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates). The minimum wage of $14.42 is 53% of the median; the 10th-percentile wage is $17.27, so roughly the lowest-paid tenth of workers earn within $2.85 of the minimum. BLS
| Applies to | Rate |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $14.42 |
| 10th percentile | $17.27 |
| 25th percentile | $20.84 |
| Median | $27.11 |
| Mean | $33.20 |
10 rules · September 27, 2026
Labor law basics in Vermont
What the law adds on top of the hourly rate. Follow the citation for exceptions.
Overtime
Employers must pay at least 1.5 times the regular wage rate for work over 40 hours in a workweek, but Vermont's overtime rule does not cover employees of retail or service establishments, seasonal amusement establishments, or hotels, motels and restaurants. (non-exempt employees outside the excluded establishments (federal overtime may still apply))
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 384
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, an employer shall not pay an employee less than one and one-half times the regular wage rate for any work done by the employee in excess of 40 hours during a workweek. However, this subsection shall not apply to: (1) Employees of any retail or service establishment. A “retail or service establishment” means an establishment 75 percent of whose annual volume of sales of goods or services, or of both, is not for resale and is recognized as retail sales or services in the particular industry. (2) Employees of an establishment that is an amusement or recreational establishment, if: (A) it does not operate for more than seven months in any calendar year; or (B) during the preceding calendar year its average receipts for any six months of that year were not more than one-third of its average receipts for the other six months of the year. (3) Employees of an establishment that is a hotel, motel, or restaurant.
- Source
- statute
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
- Notes
- 21 V.S.A. § 384(b).
Verified September 27, 2026
Meal breaks
Employers must give employees reasonable opportunities during work periods to eat and to use toilet facilities; Vermont sets no fixed length or timing for meal or rest breaks.
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 304
An employer shall provide an employee with reasonable opportunities during work periods to eat and to use toilet facilities in order to protect the health and hygiene of the employee.
- Source
- statute
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
- Notes
- 21 V.S.A. § 304.
Verified September 27, 2026
Pay frequency
Vermont employers must pay each week the wages earned to a day not more than six days before the payday, or may pay biweekly or semimonthly after giving notice to each employee.
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 342
(a)(1) Any employer that is doing business within the State shall pay each week, in lawful money or checks, the wages earned by each employee to a day not more than six days prior to the date of payment. (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (1) of this subsection, any employer having one or more employees that is doing business within the State may, either: (A) after giving notice to each employee, pay biweekly or semimonthly, in lawful money or checks, each employee the wages earned by the employee to a day not more than six days prior to the date of payment; or (B) pursuant to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement pay any employee who is subject to that agreement the wages earned by the employee to a day not more than 13 days prior to the date of payment.
- Source
- statute
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
Verified September 27, 2026
Final paycheck
An employee who quits must be paid on the last regular payday (or the following Friday if there is none), and a discharged employee must be paid within 72 hours.
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 342
(b) An employee who: (1) voluntarily leaves employment shall be paid on the last regular pay day, or if there is no regular pay day, on the following Friday; (2) is discharged from employment shall be paid within 72 hours of discharge;
- Source
- statute
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
Verified September 27, 2026
Paid sick leave
Employees accrue at least 1 hour of paid earned sick time for every 52 hours worked; employers may cap accrual at 40 hours in 12 months and may impose a waiting period of up to one year before new hires can use it.
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 482
(a) An employee shall accrue not less than one hour of earned sick time for every 52 hours worked. (b) An employer may require a waiting period for newly hired employees of up to one year. During this waiting period, an employee shall accrue earned sick time pursuant to this subchapter but shall not be permitted to use the earned sick time until after completing the waiting period. (c) An employer may: (1) limit the amount of earned sick time accrued pursuant to this section to a maximum of 40 hours in a 12-month period; or
- Source
- statute
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
Verified September 27, 2026
Tips
Hotels, motels, tourist places and restaurants may pay service or tipped employees a basic wage of no less than half the minimum wage; a tipped employee is one who regularly receives more than $120 a month in tips. (service or tipped employees in the hotel, motel, tourist place and restaurant industry)
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 384
(2) An employer in the hotel, motel, tourist place, and restaurant industry shall not employ a service or tipped employee at a basic wage rate less than one-half the minimum wage. As used in this subdivision, “a service or tipped employee” means an employee of a hotel, motel, tourist place, or restaurant who customarily and regularly receives more than $120.00 per month in tips for direct and personal customer service.
- Source
- statute
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
Verified September 27, 2026
Young workers' hours
Children under 16 may not work more than 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week, and no minor may work in occupations declared hazardous. (children under 16)
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 437
(a) Except as provided in section 438 of this title, a child shall not be employed or permitted to work at or on any occupations, employment, operations, or machines determined to be hazardous, by rule, by the U.S. Secretary of Labor or the Commissioner. (b) A child under 16 years of age shall not be employed more than eight hours in any one day or more than 40 hours in any one week.
- Source
- statute
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
Verified September 27, 2026
Required poster
Every employer must keep a copy of the minimum wage rules posted in a conspicuous place where employees work, and the Commissioner of Labor furnishes copies free.
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 393
(b) Every employer shall keep a copy of the rules posted in a conspicuous place in the area where employees are employed. The Commissioner shall furnish copies of the rules to employers without charge.
- Source
- statute
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
Verified September 27, 2026
Recovering unpaid wages
An employee may file an unpaid-wage complaint with the Vermont Department of Labor within 2 years after the wages were due, and the Commissioner investigates, tries to settle, and can order the employer to pay.
Source: 21 V.S.A. § 342a
(a) An employee or the Department on its own motion may file a complaint that wages have not been paid to an employee, not later than two years after the date the wages were due. The Commissioner shall provide notice and a copy of the complaint to the employer by service, or by certified mail sent to the employer’s last known address, together with an order to file a response to the specific allegation in the complaint filed by the employee or the Department with the Department within 10 calendar days after receipt.
- Source
- statute
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
- Notes
- 21 V.S.A. § 342a. Willfully withheld wages can add up to twice the unpaid amount (§ 342a(d)); a civil action under § 347 recovers twice the unpaid wages plus costs and fees.
Verified September 27, 2026
Overtime-exempt salary threshold
Executive, administrative and professional employees are exempt from minimum wage and overtime only if they meet the duties tests and are paid a salary of at least $684 per week ($35,568 a year). (executive, administrative, professional and outside sales employees)
Source: 29 C.F.R. Part 541
To qualify for exemption, employees generally must meet certain tests regarding their job duties and be paid on a salary basis at not less than $684 per week.
- Source
- agency page
- snapshot
- September 26, 2026
- Notes
- The 2024 rule raising the level to $844/$1,128 was vacated in November 2024; DOL enforces the 2019 level of $684.
Verified September 26, 2026
$14.42 / hour
Calculators
Estimates before tax at this rate. Nothing you type leaves this page.
What this wage pays
| Weekly | $576.80 |
|---|---|
| Monthly52 weeks ÷ 12 | $2,499.47 |
| Annual52 weeks | $29,993.60 |
| Overtime rate1.5× where overtime applies | $21.63 |
4 questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Vermont in 2027?
$14.42 per hour since January 1, 2026. For a 40-hour week that is about $576.80 a week or $29,993.60 a year before tax.
Is the minimum wage in Vermont increasing?
No increase is scheduled on record as of October 1, 2026. Inflation-indexed jurisdictions announce the next figure a few months before it takes effect.
Is there a lower tipped minimum wage in Vermont?
No separate tipped rate is on record for Vermont; tipped employees are owed the full $14.42 per hour before tips, unless a higher-level rule sets one.
How does Vermont compare with other states?
Vermont's $14.42 ranks 20 of 51 state general rates, against a federal floor of $7.25.
2 levels of law
How this rate is resolved
The highest minimum that covers the work location applies.
Employers must pay the highest minimum that covers the work location. WageTable checks each level in turn:
- United States
- Vermont
Vermont sets 2 rules of its own.
Notes on this jurisdiction's rules and sources
Applies to employers of two or more employees (21 V.S.A. § 383). Adjusted each January 1 by the lesser of 5% or CPI-U (12 months to the previous September 1), 21 V.S.A. § 384(a)(1). Tipped service employees in hotels, motels, tourist places and restaurants get a basic wage of one-half the minimum wage. The January 1, 2027 figure had not been announced as of 2026-09-26. History before 2019 not yet sourced.
Vermont
Enforcement
Enforced by Vermont Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Program. Employers must display the official minimum wage poster.
Underpaid?File a wage claim