2017 Vermont Minimum Wage
The 2017 Vermont Minimum Wage is $10.
Effective 2017-01-01Source: Vermont Farm Worker Wage, Hour and Housing Fact Sheet (Vermont Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-31
Compared with 2016
| Item | 2016 | 2017 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $9.60 | $10 | +$0.40 (+4.2%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees in Vermont subject to the state minimum wage.
What changed this year, and why
Vermont's minimum wage was set at $10.00 per hour effective January 1, 2017.
Common questions
- What was Vermont's minimum wage in 2017?
- The hourly minimum wage in Vermont in 2017 was $10.00, effective January 1, 2017.
Overtime is paid at one and one-half times the regular rate
In Vermont, agricultural employees are exempt from the state's overtime requirements under the labor laws governing agriculture. This means farm workers are not entitled under Vermont law to receive an overtime premium for hours worked beyond a standard workweek. However, some agricultural workers may be covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which has its own overtime rules for non-exempt workers. Courts have held that certain activities are not agriculture for purposes of the overtime exemption, including mechanics performing maintenance on farm equipment, employees who delivered and disposed of dairy products, employees who processed fruits and vegetables from their natural state, and value-added processing on a farm. Workers performing these activities may not be considered agricultural employees and may be entitled to overtime or the potentially higher minimum wage provided by Vermont law. Employers in Vermont should evaluate each worker's duties to determine whether the exemption applies. Workers who believe they should be receiving overtime pay can contact the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division for guidance.
Individuals employed in agriculture are exempt from Vermont’s minimum wage & overtime laws pursuant to 21 V.S.A. § 383.
Vermont Farm Worker Wage, Hour and Housing Fact Sheet (Vermont Department of Labor)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
In Vermont, workers with questions about the minimum wage or who want to file a complaint should contact the Vermont Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Workers in Vermont who believe their employer is not paying the correct minimum wage can reach the Wage and Hour Division of the Vermont Department of Labor to discuss their situation. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which may apply to agricultural employees exempt from the state minimum wage, is enforced by the United States Department of Labor. It is unlawful for any employer in Vermont to fire, demote, or otherwise discriminate against any employee who files a complaint with the Vermont Department of Labor or the United States Department of Labor. This retaliation protection applies regardless of whether the question involves state or federal wage law. Workers should not hesitate to raise concerns about their pay because Vermont law specifically protects them from employer retaliation for filing complaints or cooperating with an investigation.
Please contact the Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division at 802-828-0267 with any questions.
Vermont Farm Worker Wage, Hour and Housing Fact Sheet (Vermont Department of Labor)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
Vermont's minimum wage rate is higher than the federal minimum wage. For non-agricultural workers in Vermont, the state rate of $10 per hour applies because it exceeds the federal floor. Agricultural employees, however, are exempt from Vermont's minimum wage under state law, and they may instead be covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which sets a lower rate. When both state and federal law could apply, the worker receives whichever rate is more protective. In Vermont, the state legislature has set a schedule of annual increases, and the rate is adjusted based on a cost-of-living calculation tied to a consumer price index. This means Vermont's rate can rise above the federal level over time, giving workers in the state greater protections than the federal baseline. Employers in Vermont who have agricultural workers must track which legal regime applies to each employee. Workers who believe they are being paid less than the rate they are entitled to under Vermont or federal law can contact the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division for guidance.
In cases where State law exempts certain types of employees from the State minimum wage, FLSA will act as a “floor” or “safety net” ensuring that employees receive at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25.
Vermont Farm Worker Wage, Hour and Housing Fact Sheet (Vermont Department of Labor)
What an employer may deduct from your pay
Vermont employers may deduct the value of meals and lodging actually provided to employees from their wages, but these deductions must stay within limits set by the Vermont Minimum Wage Rules. When an employer takes a deduction for meals or lodging, it is treated as rent, which affects the employer's ability to use expedited eviction procedures for employer-provided housing. Employers in Vermont may not withhold wages as a security deposit or to ensure workers give notice before leaving. At payday, the employer must deliver a wage statement showing gross pay, hours worked, hourly rate, and all itemized deductions so workers can see exactly what was taken from their pay. An employer also may not deduct the cost of personal protective equipment required by safety regulations, with very limited exceptions for certain footwear and eyewear. Workers in Vermont who see unexpected deductions on their pay statements should review them carefully and can contact the Wage and Hour Division of the Vermont Department of Labor to determine whether the deductions are lawful.
An employer may deduct from wages an allowance for meals and lodging actually furnished. This deduction would be considered rent and prohibit the employer from the expedited eviction process. The meals and lodging deduction shall not exceed the amount specified in the Vermont Minimum Wage Rules.
Vermont Farm Worker Wage, Hour and Housing Fact Sheet (Vermont Department of Labor)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
In Vermont, agricultural workers who are exempt from the state minimum wage may still be entitled to the federal minimum wage when their farm employer meets certain thresholds under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The federal government sets minimum requirements for the payment of wages and overtime through the FLSA. When Vermont law exempts certain agricultural employees from the state minimum wage, the FLSA acts as a floor or safety net so that those workers still receive at least the federal minimum wage. This means that even though the state rate of $10 per hour does not apply to all farm workers in Vermont, federal law ensures they are not paid less than the federal floor. Workers in Vermont who are engaged in activities that courts have determined are not agriculture, such as mechanics performing maintenance on farm equipment, employees who delivered and disposed of dairy products, or workers doing value-added processing on a farm, may not qualify for the agricultural exemption and may be entitled to the potentially higher minimum wage provided by Vermont law. Questions about which rate applies can be directed to the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
In cases where State law exempts certain types of employees from the State minimum wage, FLSA will act as a “floor” or “safety net” ensuring that employees receive at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25.
Vermont Farm Worker Wage, Hour and Housing Fact Sheet (Vermont Department of Labor)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Vermont Farm Worker Wage, Hour and Housing Fact Sheet (Vermont Department of Labor)
- Hourly
Effective January 01, 2017: $10.00 per hour
Other years
Every Vermont Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state