Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Burlington, VT: $59,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Burlington, VT earns a median $59,492/year (≈ $28.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $57,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected compensation for occupational therapy assistants in Burlington, Vermont, is expected to reach a median annual salary of $59,492, significantly lower than the national median of $74,332. Salaries for these professionals will range from $45,056 at the lower end (P10) to $71,968 at the upper tier (P90). These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect local variations arising from state-level economic conditions and regional price adjustments. For those engaged in the COTA-to-MOT bridge pathway, understanding these salary dynamics can elucidate how further education may enhance lifetime earnings, especially in a market like Burlington where demand remains steady despite broader economic pressures.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,056 | $21.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,309 | $25.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,492 | $28.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,968 | $34.60 |
Median Salary Position
19.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, VT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,912 (2026 est.). At $59,492, the local median is 19.96% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be above the median
How Burlington Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Burlington median: $59,492/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $61,971 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -19.96% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Burlington, VT earn a median of $59,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.96% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% below the Vermont state average of $61,971.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,492 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,480 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,230
2025 BLS Actual
$57,866
2026 Current Est.
$59,492
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,375 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,406 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,423 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,632 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,567 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,866 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,164 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $49,230 (2019) to $57,866 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,934 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,056 – $52,309 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,309 – $59,492 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,492 – $64,600 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,600 – $71,968 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Burlington
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Burlington currently shows a small workforce comprising just 10 active professionals, indicative of a close-knit community where individual performance can significantly affect overall job prospects. The cost of living index stands at 103.5, suggesting that while local salaries are competitive, they may not stretch as far as in other regions, impacting take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services typically offer the highest pay. Variability in earnings often stems from job settings, with hospitals providing more competitive compensation compared to school districts and outpatient clinics due to differing productivity expectations and contract structures. Moreover, the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts have influenced pay rates across SNFs and outpatient care, making it crucial for professionals in Burlington to align themselves with the most lucrative employers and consider year-round contract options to maximize their occupational therapy assistant pay in Burlington, VT.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Burlington, VT in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Burlington?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $57,866 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Burlington metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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