๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 108 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Bennington CDP, VT

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$58,289
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$54,223
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$130,123
1BR Rent
$1,343
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about working in Bennington CDP: you might not expect a Vermont town of under 9,000 people to have a software developer earning over $130,000. But it does. And with an unemployment rate of just 2.3%, the job market is tighter than a drum.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. Benningtonโ€™s cost of living sits at 107.5โ€”about 7.5% above the national average. A one-bedroom apartment runs you $1,343 a month. That means the median household income of $53,839 doesnโ€™t stretch as far as youโ€™d hope. While itโ€™s not a budget paradise, itโ€™s also not a wallet-draining metropolis. For the right professional, it can feel manageable.

Who actually thrives here? Beyond the standout software developer salaries, this is a place for skilled trades and essential services. Registered nurses and accountants both pull in around $88,000, and electricians arenโ€™t far behind. The local economy leans on healthcare, education, and some light manufacturing, with places like Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and Bennington College serving as key anchors. Itโ€™s a classic small-city mix.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages here aren't spectacular across the board. The average salary is $58,289, but after you adjust for that higher cost of living, the real-world value drops to about $54,223. If youโ€™re in a top-tier field like tech or healthcare, youโ€™ll do fine. If youโ€™re in a more common role, you might feel the squeeze. The city works well for those with in-demand skills or a remote salary from a bigger market.

The data below will show you exactly how your profession stacks up against the local averages and what your take-home pay might really look like.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Bennington CDP

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ +2% vs national

Software Developer

$130,123
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $121,045
โฑ Hourly $62.56/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +2% vs national

Accountant

$88,016
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $81,875
โฑ Hourly $42.32/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +2% vs national

Registered Nurse

$88,006
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $81,866
โฑ Hourly $42.31/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$65,102
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $60,560
โฑ Hourly $31.30/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Electrician

$62,934
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $58,543
โฑ Hourly $30.26/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 27 Occupations in Bennington CDP

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (108/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $130,123
2 Accountant $88,016
3 Registered Nurse $88,006
4 Elementary School Teacher $65,102
5 Electrician $62,934
6 Real Estate Agent $62,863
7 Heavy Truck Driver $54,284
8 Firefighter $51,125
9 Dental Hygienist $51,125
10 Web Developer $51,125
11 Marketing Manager $51,125
12 Paralegal $51,125
13 Medical Assistant $51,125
14 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $51,125
15 Project Manager $51,125
16 Police Officer $51,125
17 Graphic Designer $51,125
18 Data Analyst $51,125
19 Plumber $51,125
20 Human Resources Specialist $51,125
21 Carpenter $51,125
22 Physical Therapist $51,125
23 Pharmacist $51,125
24 HVAC Technician $51,125
25 Financial Analyst $51,125
26 Welder $51,125
27 Construction Manager $51,125

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Bennington CDP

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,343/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,678/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$185,100
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
2.3%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$53,839
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
35%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
108
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Bennington CDP?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Bennington CDP. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Bennington CDP Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Bennington CDP, VT?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Bennington CDP is $58,289. This figure is based on 2026 data for the area. The median household income is $53,839, providing a benchmark for typical earnings.

What jobs pay the most in Bennington CDP?

โ–ผ
The highest-paying role in Bennington CDP is Software Developer at $130,123. This is more than double the area's average salary of $58,289. Other high-paying jobs likely include specialized tech or healthcare roles, but Software Developer tops the list.

Is Bennington CDP affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $130,123 is well above the area's average of $58,289 and median household income of $53,839. With a 1BR rent of $1,343/month, housing costs would be about 12% of gross monthly income, leaving ample room for other expenses. The cost of living index of 107.5 is only 7.5% above the national average, making it manageable.

How does Bennington CDP's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Bennington CDP's cost of living index is 107.5, meaning expenses are 7.5% higher than the national average. On a $58,289 average salary, this reduces purchasing power compared to lower-cost areas. For example, a 1BR rent of $1,343/month consumes about 28% of gross income, leaving less disposable income than in cheaper regions.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Bennington CDP?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, aim for a salary at least 20-30% above the median household income of $53,839, or roughly $65,000-$70,000 annually. This covers the 107.5 cost of living index and $1,343/month rent without financial strain. The average salary of $58,289 is close but may require budgeting, especially for families or higher expenses.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Bennington CDP Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Bennington isnโ€™t a gold rush. The average salary ($58k) doesnโ€™t stretch as far as youโ€™d hope when the cost-of-living index is 107.5 and rent runs $1,343 a month. Itโ€™s passable, but not great.

If youโ€™re in tech, especially software development, the math works. With six-figure payโ€”$130k raw, $121k adjustedโ€”youโ€™ll live comfortably. Healthcare and trades can get by, but youโ€™ll feel the pinch unless youโ€™ve got dual income or a side hustle. For everyone else, Bennington is more about lifestyle than wealth-building.

Verdict: Worth it only if youโ€™re in a high-paying role or youโ€™re trading ambition for scenery and community.

Advice: Donโ€™t move here for a generic average job. Lock in a remote tech salary or a local developer role firstโ€”then decide if the mountains are worth the compromise.

Explore Bennington CDP Further