2022 Vermont Minimum Wage
The 2022 Vermont Minimum Wage is $12.55.
Effective 2022-01-01Source: Wage and Hour (Vermont Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-30
Compared with 2021
| Item | 2021 | 2022 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $11.75 | $12.55 | +$0.80 (+6.8%) |
Who it applies to
Employees working in the state of Vermont
What changed this year, and why
Vermont's minimum hourly wage increased to $12.55 on January 1, 2022, up from $11.75 in 2021.
Common questions
- When did the 2022 minimum wage take effect?
- January 1, 2022.
- How does the 2022 minimum wage compare to 2021?
- The 2022 rate of $12.55 per hour was higher than the 2021 rate of $11.75 per hour.
Overtime is paid at one and one-half times the regular rate
When employees in Vermont work overtime hours beyond their standard workweek, they are entitled to overtime pay at a premium rate calculated above their regular hourly wage. The Vermont Wage and Hour Program oversees state law concerning minimum wage and overtime for employees and employers. This means that workers earning the 2022 minimum wage of $12.55 per hour receive additional compensation for hours worked beyond the standard threshold, with the overtime premium set at a higher multiplier of their regular rate. The overtime requirement applies to most employees covered by Vermont's wage laws, though certain job categories may be exempt. Employers must track work hours accurately and calculate overtime premiums correctly. Employees who believe they have not received proper overtime compensation should contact the Vermont Department of Labor to file a complaint or seek guidance on their rights under state wage and hour laws. The department attempts to settle employer and employee wage disputes and encourages workers to report problems promptly.
The Wage & Hour Program oversees state law and adopted rules concerning minimum wage, overtime, wage payments, employee benefits, child labor, and workplace rights for employees and employers.
Wage and Hour (Vermont Department of Labor)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers in Vermont who have questions about minimum wage rates or who need to file a wage complaint should contact the Vermont Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Program. The department oversees compliance with state wage laws and attempts to settle disputes between employers and employees. The Wage and Hour Program is led by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Labor, located in Montpelier. Workers are encouraged to contact the program as soon as a problem arises, as the department notes that the longer a wage issue continues, the more difficult it becomes to reach a resolution. The department typically works to reach settlements between employers and employees regarding wage disputes. Employees can reach the department by phone or through the department's online contact system. Additionally, because federal wage and hour laws differ from Vermont law, workers may also need to contact the U.S. Department of Labor regarding rights under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which can be reached at (603) 666-7716.
Remember, federal wage and hour laws differ from Vermont law, so you should also contact the U.S. Department of Labor (603) 666-7716 regarding your rights and obligations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Wage and Hour (Vermont Department of Labor)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
Vermont's minimum wage laws may provide greater protections to employees than federal law requires. When both state and federal minimum wage laws apply, employees in Vermont are entitled to the higher of the two rates. For 2022, Vermont's minimum wage is $12.55 per hour, which may exceed the federal minimum wage rate. The Vermont Department of Labor notes that federal wage and hour laws differ from Vermont law, and workers should understand their rights under both the state's regulations and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. When state law provides a higher minimum wage than federal law, as Vermont's does, employers must pay the state rate to their employees. This ensures workers receive the maximum protection available under either legal framework. Employees who are unsure which rate applies to their situation or who believe their employer is not paying the correct minimum wage should consult with the Vermont Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Program for guidance on their specific circumstances and rights.
Remember, federal wage and hour laws differ from Vermont law, so you should also contact the U.S. Department of Labor (603) 666-7716 regarding your rights and obligations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Wage and Hour (Vermont Department of Labor)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In Vermont, employers may count tips and the value of meals and lodging toward meeting the minimum wage requirement under certain conditions. For 2022, the minimum wage for tipped employees is $6.28 per hour, which is lower than the standard rate of $12.55 per hour for non-tipped workers. This reduced rate for tipped employees reflects the expectation that tips will bring the worker's total compensation up to at least the full minimum wage. If an employee's tips combined with the $6.28 hourly wage do not equal $12.55 per hour, the employer must make up the difference. Similarly, when employers provide meals or lodging to employees, the reasonable cost or fair value of these benefits may be credited toward the minimum wage obligation, subject to specific rules and limitations. Workers in Vermont who receive tips or who are provided meals or lodging as part of their compensation should understand how these credits affect their pay and ensure they are receiving at least the full minimum wage when all compensation is counted together.
Effective 01/01/2022: $12.55 per hour worked / $6.28 for tipped employees
Wage and Hour (Vermont Department of Labor)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
When Vermont's state minimum wage rate is lower than the federal minimum wage rate, the higher federal rate applies to employees in the state. This ensures workers receive the maximum protection available under either law. With some limited exceptions, when the federal rate exceeds the state rate, employers must pay the federal minimum wage to their employees rather than the lower state rate. This principle works in both directions: when the state rate is higher, as Vermont's $12.55 per hour rate is for 2022 compared to certain federal rates, the state rate applies instead. The Vermont Department of Labor notes that federal wage and hour laws differ from Vermont law, and both the state and federal regulations must be considered. The U.S. Department of Labor can be contacted at (603) 666-7716 for information about rights and obligations under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Workers and employers in Vermont should understand which rate applies to their specific situation based on current federal and state minimum wage levels.
Remember, federal wage and hour laws differ from Vermont law, so you should also contact the U.S. Department of Labor (603) 666-7716 regarding your rights and obligations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Wage and Hour (Vermont Department of Labor)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
Vermont's minimum wage rate is adjusted each year to account for changes in the cost of living. The adjustment takes effect annually on January 1, ensuring the minimum wage keeps pace with inflation. This cost-of-living adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), which measures changes in the prices of goods and services commonly purchased by workers. The Vermont Department of Labor announces the new minimum wage rate each year after calculating the adjustment using this index. For 2022, the rate was set at $12.55 per hour following this annual adjustment process. This automatic annual adjustment mechanism helps maintain the purchasing power of the minimum wage over time without requiring new legislative action each year. Employers and employees in Vermont should be aware that the minimum wage changes every January and should verify the current rate to ensure compliance with Vermont's wage requirements.
**Vermont’s minimum wage is adjusted annually to be effective on January 1
Wage and Hour (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.
Wage and Hour (Vermont Department of Labor)
- Hourly
Effective 01/01/2022: $12.55 per hour worked / $6.28 for tipped employees
Other years
Every Vermont Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state