OT Assistant Salary

Bennington vs Burlington: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Bennington, VT and Burlington, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bennington, VT
$59,406
$28.56/hr
Burlington, VT
$59,492
$28.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBennington, VTBurlington, VT
Median Salary$59,406$59,492
Hourly Rate$28.56$28.60
Entry Level (P10)$44,672$45,056
25th Percentile$51,594$52,309
75th Percentile$63,384$64,600
Top Earner (P90)$69,453$71,968
Total Employed610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bennington ($59,406) and Burlington ($59,492) occupational therapy assistant salaries.BenningtonBurlingtonMedian Salary$59,406$59,492Entry Level (P10)$44,672$45,056Top Earner (P90)$69,453$71,968US Median $74,332

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bennington.

The salary gap between Bennington and Burlington is $86 (0.14%). Burlington's median is -19.96% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bennington spans $24,781,Burlington spans $26,912. Burlington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Bennington
P10 (Entry)$44,672
P25$51,594
Median$59,406
P75$63,384
P90 (Top)$69,453
Burlington
P10 (Entry)$45,056
P25$52,309
Median$59,492
P75$64,600
P90 (Top)$71,968

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($57,480 effective) pays 0.14% more than Bennington ($57,397 effective).

Bennington
Nominal: $59,406
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $57,397
Burlington
Nominal: $59,492
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $57,480

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bennington if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,492/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($71,968)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,480)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Bennington grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -9.0% growth in Burlington over the same period.

Bennington, VT

+-9.0%

$63,474 (2024) → $57,782 (2025)

Burlington, VT

+-9.0%

$63,567 (2024) → $57,866 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Bennington or Burlington?

Burlington has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $59,492/year, compared to Bennington at $59,406/year — a difference of $86 (0.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bennington and Burlington?

Bennington occupational therapy assistants earn $28.56/hr while Burlington hygienists earn $28.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bennington to Burlington as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bennington and Burlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bennington = $57,397, Burlington = $57,480), job availability (6 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Bennington vs Burlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $44,672 in Bennington and $45,056 in Burlington. The Burlington area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov