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).

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
Overall salary range in Vermont: $71,771 (lowest entry-level) to $129,948 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont occupational therapists earn 1.83% less than the national median ($-1,895/year difference).
Vermont Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,122 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,505 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,611 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermont 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 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
Lowest Paying Cities in Vermont
| City | Median 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.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $101,731 | 100.949 | $100,775 |
| Bennington | $102,550 | 103.5 | $99,082 |
| South Burlington | $102,247 | 103.5 | $98,789 |
| Brattleboro | $101,391 | 103.5 | $97,962 |
| Essex Junction | $101,174 | 103.5 | $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 Level | Estimated 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
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bennington | $102,550 |
| 2 | South Burlington | $102,247 |
| 3 | Burlington | $101,731 |
| 4 | Brattleboro | $101,391 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $101,174 |
| 6 | Barre | $101,037 |
| 7 | Rutland | $99,178 |
| 8 | Colchester | $99,065 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $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?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in Vermont?
How does Vermont occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in Vermont?
How many occupational therapists are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
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.
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