Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $29.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Burlington, VT runs $29.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,221 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,731 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, physical therapist assistants earn a median hourly rate of $29.43, which falls below the national median of $33.77. This rate can significantly impact part-time and per-diem workers. For instance, a part-time physical therapist assistant working three days a week can expect to navigate the local healthcare environment across settings like outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. The hourly rate range for this profession varies from $21.87 at entry-level positions to as high as $37.53 for experienced practitioners. These figures suggest that while Burlington offers a solid earnings potential for physical therapists, it still trails behind the national rates, indicating the financial considerations that candidates should weigh when exploring employment opportunities.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.87 | $174.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.51 | $212.12 |
| Median (P50) | $29.43 | $235.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.57 | $268.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.53 | $300.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $29.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.43/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $61,219 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,319. With a cost-of-living index of 103.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,177.29 | $5,102 | $61,219 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $706.37 | $3,061 | $36,731 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $470.91 | $2,041 | $24,488 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Burlington) | $29.43 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Burlington, VT earn a median of $61,221 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.85% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 4.00% below the Vermont state average of $63,772.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.43/hr = $36,731/year (purchasing power: $35,489).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,219/year (purchasing power: $59,149).
CoL index: 103.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Burlington grew 7.0% from $26.78/hr (2019) to $28.65/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.24/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Burlington
The earning potential for a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week can bring home around $36,748 annually, which can be a more attractive option compared to full-time positions for those valuing work-life balance. Per diem physical therapist assistants in Burlington typically charge between $32 and $48 per hour, making per-diem work financially appealing but often lacking in benefits like health insurance. Contract work for travel PTAs can provide significant earnings, with weekly pay ranging from $1,200 to $1,800. It's essential to understand that the varied hourly rates across different sectors—such as outpatient orthopedic clinics versus skilled nursing facilities—largely reflect employer resources and regional demand. With some positions offering lower hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive health coverage, physical therapist assistants must weigh their options carefully when negotiating pay in Burlington’s competitive healthcare market.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Burlington?
Are physical therapist assistants in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Burlington?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Burlington?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Burlington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov