Vermont Employment Law: Wages, Final Pay, Breaks and Your Rights at Work
Vermont employment law: minimum wage, overtime, breaks, final paycheck deadlines, PTO payout, sick leave, at-will exceptions and where to file a wage claim.
Quick answers for Vermont
- Minimum wage
- $14.42 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. The rate rises every January 1 by the smaller of 5% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), and never goes down. 21 V.S.A. § 384(a)
- Final paycheck if fired or laid off
- Within 72 hours of discharge. 21 V.S.A. § 342(b)(2)
- Meal and rest breaks
- Employers must give employees reasonable opportunities during work periods to eat and to use toilet facilities. The law does not set a specific length or number of breaks. 21 V.S.A. § 304
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Pay
| Minimum wage | $14.42 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. The rate rises every January 1 by the smaller of 5% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), and never goes down. If the federal minimum wage is ever higher, the federal rate applies. A new rate will take effect January 1, 2027 under the annual formula; the Department of Labor had not published the 2027 amount as of this update. Source: 21 V.S.A. § 384(a) |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage | $7.21 per hour (half the minimum wage) for service or tipped employees of hotels, motels, tourist places and restaurants who customarily receive more than $120 a month in tips for direct customer service. Tips must bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage. The tipped rate will change on January 1, 2027 along with the regular minimum wage (half of the new rate). Source: 21 V.S.A. § 384(a)(2) |
| Overtime | Time and one-half for hours over 40 in a workweek. The state overtime rule does not apply to employees of retail or service establishments, hotels, motels or restaurants, or certain seasonal amusement or recreation businesses (federal overtime law may still apply). Some health care employers may elect a daily 8-hour overtime system with biweekly pay. Source: 21 V.S.A. § 384(b) |
| How often you must be paid | Weekly, for wages earned up to a day no more than six days before payday. After giving notice to employees, an employer may instead pay biweekly or semimonthly (same six-day limit). A collective bargaining agreement may allow up to 13 days. Source: 21 V.S.A. § 342(a) |
Breaks and leave
| Meal and rest breaks | Employers must give employees reasonable opportunities during work periods to eat and to use toilet facilities. The law does not set a specific length or number of breaks. Source: 21 V.S.A. § 304 |
|---|---|
| Paid sick leave | Yes. Employees earn at least 1 hour of earned sick time for every 52 hours worked. Employers may cap accrual at 40 hours in a 12-month period and may make new hires wait up to one year before using it (time still accrues). Sick time is paid at the employee's normal hourly wage or the minimum wage, whichever is higher. Source: 21 V.S.A. § 482 |
Leaving a job
| Final paycheck if fired or laid off | Within 72 hours of discharge. Source: 21 V.S.A. § 342(b)(2) |
|---|---|
| Final paycheck if you quit | On the last regular payday, or if there is no regular payday, on the following Friday. Source: 21 V.S.A. § 342(b)(1) |
| Unemployment benefits | The Vermont Department of Labor handles unemployment insurance. File initial and weekly claims online through Claimant e-Services. |
Firing, retaliation and discrimination
| Job discrimination complaints | Civil Rights Unit of the Vermont Attorney General's Office (for private employers). Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act covers employers with one or more people working for them in Vermont. Complaints can be filed online, by phone or email. Because the Unit works with the federal EEOC, most federal-law claims must be filed within 300 days of the last discriminatory act. |
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Where to get help in Vermont
Employment Law FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Vermont?
$14.42 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. The rate rises every January 1 by the smaller of 5% or the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), and never goes down. If the federal minimum wage is ever higher, the federal rate applies.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Vermont?
$7.21 per hour (half the minimum wage) for service or tipped employees of hotels, motels, tourist places and restaurants who customarily receive more than $120 a month in tips for direct customer service. Tips must bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage.
What are the overtime rules in Vermont?
Time and one-half for hours over 40 in a workweek. The state overtime rule does not apply to employees of retail or service establishments, hotels, motels or restaurants, or certain seasonal amusement or recreation businesses (federal overtime law may still apply). Some health care employers may elect a daily 8-hour overtime system with biweekly pay.
Are breaks required by law in Vermont?
Employers must give employees reasonable opportunities during work periods to eat and to use toilet facilities. The law does not set a specific length or number of breaks.
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Vermont?
Within 72 hours of discharge.
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Vermont?
On the last regular payday, or if there is no regular payday, on the following Friday.
How often must employees be paid in Vermont?
Weekly, for wages earned up to a day no more than six days before payday. After giving notice to employees, an employer may instead pay biweekly or semimonthly (same six-day limit). A collective bargaining agreement may allow up to 13 days.
Is paid sick leave required in Vermont?
Yes. Employees earn at least 1 hour of earned sick time for every 52 hours worked. Employers may cap accrual at 40 hours in a 12-month period and may make new hires wait up to one year before using it (time still accrues). Sick time is paid at the employee's normal hourly wage or the minimum wage, whichever is higher.
Where do I file a job discrimination complaint in Vermont?
Civil Rights Unit of the Vermont Attorney General's Office (for private employers). Vermont's Fair Employment Practices Act covers employers with one or more people working for them in Vermont. Complaints can be filed online, by phone or email. Because the Unit works with the federal EEOC, most federal-law claims must be filed within 300 days of the last discriminatory act.
How do I apply for unemployment in Vermont?
The Vermont Department of Labor handles unemployment insurance. File initial and weekly claims online through Claimant e-Services.
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.