Salaries in Winooski, VT

Winooski has a secret: it’s a tiny tech hub where the median software developer pulls in $127k, yet the city feels more like a college town than a Silicon Valley outpost. With just 8,198 people, it’s one of the most densely educated small cities in America—56.2% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, a figure that punches way above its weight.

Here’s the real story, though: the cost of living sits dead on the national average at 100. That means your paycheck buys exactly what it would elsewhere in the U.S., but you’re earning more than you might expect for a city this size. A one-bedroom apartment runs about $1,250 a month, which isn’t cheap, but it’s a far cry from Boston or Burlington prices. For a household making the median $77,020, that leaves a decent chunk of change after rent—provided you don’t have a mountain of student debt.

Who’s winning here? The tech and healthcare sectors dominate. You’ve got small but mighty software firms and the sprawling University of Vermont Medical Center just across the river, which helps explain why registered nurses here make $86,070. The local economy also leans on skilled trades and education. It’s a city for the credentialed and the hands-on.

The catch? Winooski isn’t immune to the housing crunch squeezing the entire Northeast. Rents have climbed steadily, and while the top-tier jobs pay well, the average salary across all roles is $57,007—solid for the region, but not a fortune. This city works best for young professionals, dual-income couples, or remote workers who can tap a bigger salary while enjoying Winooski’s walkable, riverfront vibe without the coastal price tag.

The data below breaks down who’s earning what, and how far those wages really go.