Manufacturing jobs in Vermont: industries, pay, and what's hiring

Vermont's manufacturing sector employs roughly 30,000 people — about 10% of the state's workforce. The biggest clusters are precision machining and aerospace components in Chittenden County, food and beverage production statewide, electronics in Essex Junction, and forest products in the Northeast Kingdom.

Unlike a lot of the country, Vermont's manufacturing base has grown over the past five years, driven by reshoring and demand for domestic suppliers.

• CNC machinists (sit-up mills, lathes, Swiss-style): $26–34/hr
• Welders (MIG, TIG, structural): $28–36/hr
• Production operators (machine tending): $20–24/hr
• Assembly technicians: $19–22/hr
• Quality inspectors (with CMM or vision systems): $24–30/hr
• Maintenance technicians: $30–38/hr

Second-shift roles are paying premium right now — most clients we work with add $1–2/hr to attract second-shift workers in the current market.

Essex Junction, Williston, South Burlington, and Colchester form the Chittenden County manufacturing belt. Rutland County has its own cluster around aerospace and machining. Windham County (Brattleboro area) has growing food and beverage production. St. Albans and the Northeast Kingdom round out the rest.

For machinists: list the specific machines you've run (Haas, Mazak, Okuma, etc.), the control system (Fanuc, Siemens), and tolerances you're comfortable holding. For welders: list processes, materials (steel, stainless, aluminum), and any certifications. For assembly and production: highlight any safety, lean, or 5S experience.

Even a brief mention of these specifics will move your resume to the top of the stack.