Burlington Area Economic Summary

Updated March 22, 2021

This summary presents a sampling of economic information for the area; supplemental data are provided for regions
and the nation. Subjects include unemployment, employment, wages, prices, spending, and benefits. All data are not
seasonally adjusted and some may be subject to revision. Area definitions may differ by subject. For more area
summaries and geographic definitions, see www.bls.gov/regions/economic-summaries.htm.

Unemployment rates for the nation and selected Average weekly wages for all industries by county
areas Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA, third quarter 2020
(U.S. = $1,173; Area = $1,101)
Unemployment rates

4.0
United States
6.8

2.2
Burlington area
3.1

2.0
Burlington city, VT
3.8

South Burlington 1.7

city, VT 2.8

1.9
Essex town, VT
2.7

Colchester town, 2.2

VT 2.9

0.0 5.0 10.0

Jan-20 Jan-21
Source: U.S. BLS, Local Area Unemployment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages.

Over-the-year changes in employment on nonfarm payrolls and employment by major industry sector

12-month percent changes in employment

Change from Jan.
Burlington Area employment
Jan. 2021 2020 to Jan. 2021
5.0 (number in thousands)
Number Percent
0.0 Total nonfarm 113.2 -10.7 -8.6
Mining, logging, and construction 5.0 -0.5 -9.1
-5.0 Manufacturing 12.0 -0.5 -4.0
Trade, transportation, and utilities 20.7 -1.3 -5.9
-10.0 Information 2.2 0.0 0.0
Financial activities 4.6 -0.1 -2.1
-15.0 Professional and business services 14.5 -0.5 -3.3
Education and health services 22.0 -1.2 -5.2
-20.0 Leisure and hospitality 7.9 -4.7 -37.3
Jan-18 Jan-19 Jan-20 Jan-21 Other services 3.5 -0.5 -12.5
Burlington Area United States Government 20.8 -1.4 -6.3
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Source: U.S. BLS, Current Employment Statistics.
Over-the-year change in the prices paid by urban Over-the-year changes in the selling prices received by
consumers for selected categories producers for selected industries nationwide
12-month percent change in CPI-U, February 2021 12-month percent changes in PPI
4.0 3.6 12.0
3.5 10.0
3.0 8.0
3.0 6.0
2.4 4.0
2.5
2.0
2.0 1.7 0.0
1.5 1.3 -2.0
-4.0
1.0 0.7 -6.0
0.5 Feb-18 Feb-19 Feb-20 Feb-21
Computer & electronic product mfg
0.0
All items Food Energy General freight trucking
New England division U.S. city average Hospitals
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Price Index. Source: U.S. BLS, Producer Price Index.

Average annual spending and percent distribution Average hourly wages for selected occupations
for selected categories Burlington United
Occupation
area States
Average annual expenditures, United States and
All occupations $25.96 $25.72
Northeast, 2019
100%
$12,791 $11,088 Compliance officers 34.87 35.03
80% $5,209 $5,193
$7,809 $7,165 Computer user support specialists 26.01 27.19
60% $8,966 $8,169
40% $10,495 $10,742
Carpenters 23.65 25.41
20% $23,525 $20,679
0% Social and human service assistants 18.75 17.81
Northeast United States
All other items
Healthcare Substitute teachers, short-term 16.47 15.61
Personal insurance & pensions
Food
Transportation Cashiers 12.60 11.72
Housing
Source: U.S. BLS, Consumer Expenditure Survey. Source: U.S. BLS, Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2019.

Employer costs per hour worked for wages and Over-the-year changes in wages and salaries
selected employee benefits by geographic division
12-month percent changes in ECI
Private industry, New England United
December 2020 area (1) States 5.0
Total compensation $40.63 $36.23 4.5
Wages and salaries 28.23 25.48 4.0
3.5
Total benefits 12.40 10.74
3.0
Paid leave 3.29 2.69 2.5
Vacation 1.70 1.38 2.0
Supplemental pay 1.26 1.25 1.5
Insurance 3.26 2.81 1.0
Retirement and savings 1.49 1.25 0.5
0.0
Legally required benefits 3.10 2.75
(1) The states that compose the New England census division are: CT, ME,
Dec-17 Dec-18 Dec-19 Dec-20
MA, NH, RI, and VT. New England United States
Source: U.S. BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation. Source: U.S. BLS, Employment Cost Index.

New England Information Office • BLSinfoBoston@bls.gov • https://www.bls.gov/regions/new-england • 617-565-2327