As enjoyable as it may be to work as a bounty hunter or bail bondsman in Vermont, the question of yearly earnings is never far from anyone’s mind. However numbers for this are somewhat difficult to calculate because of factors including:
- Difference in earnings between self-employed and those who work for an agency
- Over-time, full-time or part-time work
- Non-salaried commission-based work versus salary positions
Experienced bail bondsmen and bounty hunters will often only work on a commission and fee-based contract, and these numbers are not included in this report’s salary statistics. The following figures are based on entry-level positions for employees of an agency.
Bounty Hunter Salaries in Vermont
In addition to any salary calculations, as a general rule bounty hunters earn at least 10 percent of a fugitive’s original bail amount, with that number increasing depending on factors such as out-of-state travel and personal danger. The following are average annual salary figures:
- Statewide: $43,000
- Burlington: $40,000
- Essex: $41,000
- Rutland: $47,000
- Colchester: $40,000
Bail Bondsman Salaries in Vermont
Like bounty hunters, bail bondsmen also usually earn at least 10 percent of a defendant’s original bail amount. Those percentages, which account for a significant annual sum, are computed separately from the following yearly salary numbers:
- Statewide: $21,000
- Burlington: $20,000
- Essex: $20,000
- Rutland: $23,000
- Colchester: $20,000
Other Salary Determinants
When working for a bail bondsman or bounty hunter agency, a large part of one’s salary depends on the company’s success. In these fields success is determined by:
- Reputation
- Location of business
- Advertising
- Adherence to state rules and regulation
This last point is particularly important because companies that fail to abide by Vermont’s regulations – obtaining surety authority and fugitive bonds among others – will be fined and/or shut down by state regulators.