Cost of Living in Vermont

According to 2021 data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the annual average cost of living in Vermont is $50,761.

• • • Housing and Utilities: $9,544
    • Healthcare: $8,859
    • Food and Beverage (non-restaurant): $4,443
    • Gas and Energy: $1,270
    • All Other Personal Expenses: $26,645

Average Base Salaries in Vermont

The average salary in Vermont is $59,190. Below are average salaries for medical professionals based on data from Indeed in 2024.

• • • Physicians: $148,202
    • Dentists: $215,101
    • Veterinarians: $128,808
    • Nurses: $109,099
    • Anesthesiologists: $242,614
    • Surgeons: $374,169
    • Cardiologists: $165,530
    • Radiologists: $146,615
    • Psychiatrists: $121,680
    • Pediatricians: $215,011
    • Oncologists: $285,626
    • Urologists: $420,847
    • OB/GYN Physicians: $133,826
    • Dermatologists: $251,751

Disability Prevalence & Impact in Vermont

• • • Overall Rate: Approximately 14.6% of Vermont residents have a disability.
    • Employment Rate: In 2017, the employment rate for working-age individuals (ages 21 to 64) with disabilities in Vermont was 45.9%, compared to 81.5% for those without disabilities.
    • Employment by Disability Type:
      • Cognitive: 43.9% did not work
      • Hearing: 29% did not work
      • Ambulatory: 66.4% did not work
      • Visual: 38% did not work
    • Income Disparity: In 2018, the median wage and salary income for full-time Vermont workers aged 18-64 was $41,895 for those with disabilities, compared to $50,476 for those without disabilities. 
    • Poverty Rate: In 2017, the poverty rate among working-age individuals with disabilities in Vermont was 27%, compared to 9.4% for those without disabilities.

Key Considerations for Vermont Physicians

Physicians face unique risks that make disability insurance a critical consideration. Here are a few key reasons why this coverage is indispensable:

1. High Income Protection: As a high-earning professional, your financial commitments are significant. Disability insurance safeguards your income, ensuring that you can maintain your lifestyle and meet your obligations even if you cannot work.
2. Occupational Hazards: The physical demands and precision required in surgery increase the risk of conditions that could impair your ability to perform.
3. Specialized Coverage: Physicians often require policies with specific provisions that cater to the unique aspects of their work, such as “own-occupation” coverage, which ensures you receive benefits if you can’t perform your surgical duties, even if you can work in another capacity.