CFO.
Burlington.
$278,000
median salary, 7% above the national average
$209,000 to $369,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Burlington is 6% more expensive than the national average. For CFOs, that shakes out to a median of $278,000, with the full range spanning $209,000 to $369,000. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. Know the range before you walk in.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $250,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$181,000
to $222,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$236,000
to $292,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$306,000
to $361,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$348,000
to $431,000
Salary trend
+5% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $74,000 to the total package.
Base
$278,000
Equity
$42,000
Bonus
$26,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $352,000
How Burlington compares
Burlington, VT
$278,000
Cost of living: 6% above average
National Average
$260,000
Burlington is $18,000 above
CFO salary by city
Salary by role in Burlington
What you should know
The CFO landscape in Burlington is not what most salary sites will tell you. Burlington is Vermont's largest city and a small but growing hub for technology, healthcare, and sustainable industries. The University of Vermont drives education and research employment. The city attracts remote workers and small tech companies seeking New England quality of life at lower costs than Boston. Company size measured by revenue and market capitalization drives the widest pay variation among CFOs. Fortune 500 CFOs earn three to five times more than mid-market counterparts. Industry also matters, with technology, financial services, and pharmaceutical CFOs commanding the highest packages. IPO and M&A transaction experience adds further premium.
VP of Finance roles pay $180,000 to $260,000 in base salary. CFOs at small companies ($10 million to $50 million revenue) earn $175,000 to $250,000. Mid-market CFOs ($50 million to $500 million) earn $250,000 to $400,000. Enterprise CFOs at $1 billion or more revenue companies command $400,000 to $800,000 base. In Burlington, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. CFO total compensation far exceeds base salary. Annual bonuses of 40 to 75% of base, equity grants worth $200,000 to $2 million or more at public companies, and long-term incentive plans are standard. Total compensation at large companies commonly reaches $800,000 to $5 million. And on the tax side: vermont's top income tax rate is 8.75%, one of the highest in the nation. Burlington has no city income tax, but the state burden requires careful salary planning. When someone quotes you $278,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work flexibility. Burlington's lifestyle appeal is a retention tool, but employers know they must offer competitive pay to offset Vermont's high tax rate. The range for CFOs in Burlington runs from $209,000 to $369,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Chief Operating Officer in Burlington earns $276,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Burlington is Chief AI Officer at $329,000
Common questions.
CFO salary in other cities
Other salaries in Burlington
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