Occupational Wage Rates By Trade

LABOR & INDUSTRY

Rock of Ages artisans working on granite memorials.

INTRODUCTION

The Central Vermont region has the second-largest labor force in the State of Vermont, which is 38,000. The region’s overall population is 63,276(1).

Employment in the region is spread between state government, manufacturing, trade, and finance & insurance, giving the region a broad-based economy that has performed strongly over the past several years. Nevertheless, there remains a pool of skilled workers available for new employment opportunities.

WORKFORCE

New Englanders are legendary for their strong work ethic, taking great pride in producing high-quality products and providing topnotch services. Central Vermonters are no exception, sharing the same values as those throughout Vermont and the remaining New England states.

Local education institutions, including Norwich University, Community College of Vermont, Woodbury College, Barre Vocational Center, and nearby Vermont Technical College, are excellent resources for well- trained employees. Click here to jump to the "Education" page.

DISTRIBUTION OF EMPLOYMENT

Manufacturing.......................3,350..........11%
Wholesale & Retail...............6,950..........22%
Construction & Mining.........1,650............5%
Finance, R.E. & Insurance...2,650.....9%
Services..............................8,600.............28%
Government........................6,900.............22%
Transportation & Utilities....1,100.....3%
Totals:..............................31,200............100% (2)

EXPANDING INDUSTRIES

The perception throughout the country about Vermont’s economic base is that our primary industries are those related to agriculture, forestry and hospitality. While these industries remain an integral part of Vermont’s "personality", our state and Central Vermont are growing, and with growth comes change.

Would you believe that expanding industries here are captive insurance; environmental product and process development; high-technology manufacturing; tourism; business and personal services, and plastics? It’s true!(3)

In fact, four Central Vermont companies top statewide sales growth in the Financial, Insurance & Real Estate industry. National Life of Vermont in Montpelier ranks #1 with sales exceeding $1 billion. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont in Berlin ranks second with sales of $231 million. Vermont Mutual Group in Montpelier ranks third with sales of $104 million, while Union Mutual Fire Insurance, also in Montpelier, ranks fourth with sales of $54 million in 1998.(4)

FACT: In 1996, the U.S. Census Bureau ranked Vermont 19th out of 50 states for non-farm employment. This ranking represents those employed in manufacturing.(5)

TOP CENTRAL VERMONT EMPLOYERS

National Life Group................................Life insurance
Yearly Sales: $500M - $1B - Full Time Employees: 1200

Rock of Ages...................................Granite manufacturer
Yearly Sales: $50 -$100M - Full Time Employees: 980

Central Vermont Medical Center.......................Health care
Yearly Sales: $10M - Full Time Employees: 826

OCCUPATIONAL WAGE RATES BY TRADE

A sample of the typical hourly wage rates by occupation is below. For a complete list of wages on file with the Dept. of Employment & Training, check out http://www.vtlmi.info/wageincome.htm or call us and we will mail you the list. For additional employment statistics, click here for the Vermont Dept. of Employment & Training’s home page.

Occupation: Average Wage:

Drafters/CAD Drafters.................................................$12.60
Engineering Techs - Electrical/Electronics........................13.50
Engineers - Electrical/Electronics....................................18.80
Engineers - Industrial......................................................15.10
Engineers - Mechanical..................................................18.50
Personnel/Training/Labor Relations Specialists................14.30
Purchasing Agents - Manufacturing.................................12.70
Clerks - Bookkeeping/Accounting/Auditing....................10.10
Clerks- Shipping/Receiving/Traffic....................................8.80
Computer - Data Entry Keyers/Encoders.........................7.40
Supervisors - Clerical & Administrative..................12.70
Assemblers, Precision, Electrical/Electronic Equip..........10.80
Assemblers - Electrical/Electronic....................................7.70
Assemblers/Fabricators - Hand.......................................8.20
Crane & Tower Operators............................................14.10
Electricians....................................................................12.70
Excavating/Loading Machine Operators.........................10.90
Forklift/Industrial Truck/Tractor Operators....................10.20
Machinery Maintenance Workers..................................11.90
Machinists - Metal, Precision.........................................12.10
Mechanics - Machinery Maintenance.............................12.90
Operators - Machine Tool Cutting...................................7.60
Operators - Printing Press Machine...............................11.90
Repairers - Maintenance/General Utility...........................9.80
Supervisors - Construction............................................17.10
Supervisors - Production & Operating Workers............15.70
Tool & Die Makers - Precision.....................................14.00
Truck Drivers - Heavy/Tractor-Trailer..........................11.50
Welders & Cutters - Hand...........................................12.30(7)

VERMONT'S MINIMUM WAGE

Vermont’s minimum wage is currently $6.25 per hour - effective 1/1/2001.(8)

FRINGE BENEFIT DATA

Fringe benefits for full-time employees vary depending largely upon the number of people companies employ. According to a 1997 survey by the Vermont Dept. of Employment & Training, the figures below are the average among companies of all sizes. For a more detailed breakdown, please contact CVEDC and we will be happy to send you a complete copy of the survey.

Health.........................................................72%
Life Insurance..............................................41%
Dental Insurance..........................................35%
Retirement, Defined Contribution.................37%
Retirement, Defined Benefit.........................12%
Company Profit Sharing..............................13%
Day Care Expense Reimbursement................7%
Day Care Operated by Firm..........................2%
Tuition Reimbursement.................................23%
None of the Above Available.......................33%
% of Health Insurance Cost Paid By Firm....80%(9)

VERMONT'S AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY

Vermont’s average annual salary is $24,480.00, while New Hampshire’s is $27,691.00 and New York’s is $36,831.00.(10)

1.Central VT Community Profile 2002, published by CV Chamber 2002, pg.22. (5 mb file)
2.The Vermont Labor Market" newsletter, pg. 8, September, 1998, Vol. XXXVI, Number 9.
3.Area Development: Site and Facility Planning, pg. 86, October, 1998.
4.Vermont Business Magazine, pgs. 50, 52, 54 and 56, November, 1998.
5.U.S. Census Bureau, 1990.
6.Vermont Business Magazine, Vermont at a Glance, December, 2002.
7.Vermont Dept. of Employment & Training, http://www.det.state.vt.us/~detlmi/stateall.htm
8.Vermont Dept. of Employment & Training(2002)
9.Vermont Dept. of Employment & Training, " Fringe Benefit Study" , 1997.
10.U.S. Census Bureau, 1990.

Introduction

Workforce

Distribution of Employment

Expanding Industries

Top Employers