Teacher Salary

Burlington vs Colchester: Elementary School Teacher Salary (2026)

Compare elementary school teacher salaries between Burlington, VT and Colchester, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, VT
$77,785
$37.39/hr
Colchester, VT
$61,889
$29.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, VTColchester, VT
Median Salary$77,785$61,889
Hourly Rate$37.39$29.76
Entry Level (P10)$50,409$50,360
25th Percentile$61,012$58,031
75th Percentile$98,183$77,842
Top Earner (P90)$102,909$95,927
Total Employed1,1404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($77,785) and Colchester ($61,889) elementary school teacher salaries.BurlingtonColchesterMedian Salary$77,785$61,889Entry Level (P10)$50,409$50,360Top Earner (P90)$102,909$95,927US Median $64,597

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for elementary school teachers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Colchester.

The salary gap between Burlington and Colchester is $15,896 (25.68%). Burlington's median is +20.42% compared to the US national median of $64,597.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $52,500,Colchester spans $45,567. Burlington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$50,409
P25$61,012
Median$77,785
P75$98,183
P90 (Top)$102,909
Colchester
P10 (Entry)$50,360
P25$58,031
Median$61,889
P75$77,842
P90 (Top)$95,927

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($77,054 effective) pays 28.86% more than Colchester ($59,796 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $77,785
CoL Index: 100.949
Adjusted: $77,054
Colchester
Nominal: $61,889
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $59,796

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,785/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,909)
  • Larger job market (1,140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,054)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Colchester if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, elementary school teacher salaries in Burlington grew 28.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.2% growth in Colchester over the same period.

Burlington, VT

+28.1%

$60,150 (2019) → $77,030 (2025)

Colchester, VT

+3.2%

$59,401 (2024) → $61,288 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays elementary school teachers more: Burlington or Colchester?

Burlington has a higher median elementary school teacher salary at $77,785/year, compared to Colchester at $61,889/year — a difference of $15,896 (25.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Colchester?

Burlington elementary school teachers earn $37.39/hr while Colchester hygienists earn $29.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Colchester as a elementary school teacher?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Colchester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $77,054, Colchester = $59,796), job availability (1,140 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level elementary school teachers earn in Burlington vs Colchester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) elementary school teachers earn $50,409 in Burlington and $50,360 in Colchester. The Burlington area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, MAData verified by David Kim, Ed.D.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 0.98% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov