Occupational Therapist Pay

Occupational Therapist Salary in Vermont: $101,505 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $101,505/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,072 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bennington ($99,505), South Burlington ($99,211), Burlington ($98,710).

Occupational Therapist Salary in Vermont - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Vermont occupational therapist salary overview (2026)
$101,505
Avg Median Salary
$48.80
Avg Hourly Rate
160
Metro Employed
9
Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapists in Vermont is projected to be $101,505, which is approximately 1.8% lower than the national median salary of $103,400. The salary range across Vermont cities shows a gap of $3,983, with Bennington being the highest paying city at $102,550 and Montpelier at the lowest with $98,567. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living in these areas, the availability of healthcare services, and the demand for rehabilitation professionals. Vermont’s licensing requirements for occupational therapists involve completing a master’s degree from an accredited program, passing a national examination, and obtaining state licensure, which can affect the labor pool. The scope of practice laws are generally supportive, allowing flexibility in service delivery. The projected annual growth rate for occupational therapy jobs in Vermont is 3.06%, indicating steady demand driven by an aging population, increased awareness of the importance of rehabilitation, and evolving healthcare policies. With a total of 160 occupational therapists employed statewide, the job market remains stable, particularly in cities like South Burlington ($102,247), Burlington ($101,731), Brattleboro ($101,391), and Essex Junction ($101,174). These factors contribute to a positive outlook for those entering the field in Vermont.

Vermont Occupational Therapist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$72,681
avg across 9 cities
Median
$101,505
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$128,703
avg across 9 cities

Overall salary range in Vermont: $71,771 (lowest entry-level) to $129,948 (highest top earner)

Vermont vs National Average

Vermont
$101,505
National Median
$103,400

Vermont occupational therapists earn 1.83% less than the national median ($-1,895/year difference).

Vermont Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Vermont occupational therapist salary percentiles: 10th percentile $72,681, 25th $87,963, Median $101,505, 75th $111,042, 90th $128,703. US national median is $103,400.$36.0K$72.1K$108.1K$144.1K$72.7K10thEntry Level$88.0K25thEarly Career$101.5KMedianMid Career$111.0K75thExperienced$128.7K90thTop EarnerUS Median $103.4K

Occupational Therapist salaries in Vermont range from $72,681 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $128,703 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,505. The Vermont median is $1,895 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $48.80/hr. Approximately 160 occupational therapists are employed across 9 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$78,160

2025 BLS Actual

$98,491

2026 Current Est.

$101,505

2019–2027 Growth

+33.8%

Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Vermont (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for occupational therapists in Vermont. Baseline $78,160 in 2025, projected to $104,611 by 2027.$63.1K$75.2K$87.3K$99.4K$111.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$78.2K$70.1K$75.7K$81.9K$83.7K$92.1K$98.5K$101.5K$104.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$78,160Actual
2020$70,060Actual
2021$75,710Actual
2022$81,930Actual
2023$83,730Actual
2024$92,122Actual
2025$98,491Actual
2026(current)$101,505Estimated
2027$104,611Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 26.0% from $78,160 (2019) to $98,491 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,611 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,451 (33.84%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermont metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Vermont

#1
Bennington
6 employed · $49.30/hr
$102,550
+1.03% vs avg
#2
South Burlington
4 employed · $49.16/hr
$102,247
+0.73% vs avg
#3
Burlington
120 employed · $48.91/hr
$101,731
+0.22% vs avg
#4
Brattleboro
6 employed · $48.75/hr
$101,391
-0.11% vs avg
#5
Essex Junction
6 employed · $48.64/hr
$101,174
-0.33% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Vermont

CityMedian Salary
Montpelier$98,567
Colchester$99,065
Rutland$99,178
Barre$101,037
Essex Junction$101,174

Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in Vermont

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Burlington$101,731100.949$100,775
Bennington$102,550103.5$99,082
South Burlington$102,247103.5$98,789
Brattleboro$101,391103.5$97,962
Essex Junction$101,174103.5$97,753

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Vermont

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$72,681
Mid Career (3-7 years)$101,505
Experienced (7+ years)$128,703

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Vermont metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 9 Cities in Vermont

#CityMedian Salary
1Bennington$102,550
2South Burlington$102,247
3Burlington$101,731
4Brattleboro$101,391
5Essex Junction$101,174
6Barre$101,037
7Rutland$99,178
8Colchester$99,065
9Montpelier$98,567

More Vermont Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in Vermont cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new occupational therapists.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.

Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapists make in Vermont in 2026?

The average median occupational therapist salary in Vermont is $101,505/year across 9 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $98,567 in Montpelier to $102,550 in Bennington. This makes Vermont 1.83% below the national median of $103,400. The state employs approximately 160 occupational therapists.

What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Vermont?

Bennington offers the highest occupational therapist salary in Vermont at $102,550/year ($49.30/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Bennington ($102,550), South Burlington ($102,247), Burlington ($101,731). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for occupational therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed occupational therapists.

How does Vermont occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?

Vermont's average occupational therapist salary of $101,505 is 1.83% below the national median of $103,400 in 2026. The state employs approximately 160 occupational therapists across 9 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Vermont?

Entry-level occupational therapists (10th percentile) in Vermont earn approximately $72,681/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $71,771 in lower-paying areas to $77,611 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many occupational therapists are employed in Vermont?

Vermont employs approximately 160 occupational therapists across 9 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the occupational therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which Vermont city offers the best value for occupational therapists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Burlington offers the highest purchasing power for occupational therapists in Vermont, with an adjusted salary of $100,775 (nominal: $101,731, CoL index: 100.949). This means your dollar goes 1% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.
JM

Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Chen, OTR/LData verified by Luis Garcia, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapist compensation across Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).

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

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