Physical Therapist Salary in Vermont: $101,756 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $101,756/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,315 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bennington ($101,915), Brattleboro ($100,763), Essex Junction ($100,547).
In Vermont, the average median salary for physical therapists is projected to be $101,756 in 2026, which is approximately 3.4% lower than the national median salary of $105,288. The highest-paying city in the state is Bennington, with a salary of $104,422, while Montpelier, the lowest-paying city, offers $100,366. This $4,056 difference can be attributed to factors like cost of living variation and local demand for healthcare services. Vermont has specific licensing requirements for physical therapists, including a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree and passing national and state examinations. The state's scope of practice laws allow physical therapists to provide a wide range of services, contributing to increased employment opportunities. Factors such as an aging population and increasing awareness of physical therapy's benefits are driving demand in the state. With 380 physical therapists employed statewide, the job market remains firm with a projected growth rate of 2.46%, indicating steady opportunities for new professionals entering the field. Key cities like Brattleboro, Essex Junction, Barre, and South Burlington also present competitive salaries, underscoring the importance of local market conditions in influencing compensation for physical therapists in Vermont.
Vermont Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $70,749 (lowest entry-level) to $131,049 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont physical therapists earn 3.35% less than the national median ($-3,532/year difference).
Vermont Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in Vermont range from $71,784 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $121,719 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,756. The Vermont median is $3,532 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $48.92/hr. Approximately 380 physical therapists are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$76,610
2025 BLS Actual
$99,313
2026 Current Est.
$101,756
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Vermont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,972 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,313 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,756 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,259 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 29.6% from $76,610 (2019) to $99,313 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,259 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,649 (36.09%) 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 2.46% 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 | $100,366 |
| Colchester | $100,874 |
| Rutland | $100,989 |
| Burlington | $101,671 |
| South Burlington | $102,187 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bennington | $104,422 | 103.5 | $100,891 |
| Burlington | $101,671 | 100.949 | $100,715 |
| Brattleboro | $103,242 | 103.5 | $99,751 |
| Essex Junction | $103,020 | 103.5 | $99,536 |
| Barre | $102,881 | 103.5 | $99,402 |
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) | $71,784 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,756 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $121,719 |
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 | $104,422 |
| 2 | Brattleboro | $103,242 |
| 3 | Essex Junction | $103,020 |
| 4 | Barre | $102,881 |
| 5 | South Burlington | $102,187 |
| 6 | Burlington | $101,671 |
| 7 | Rutland | $100,989 |
| 8 | Colchester | $100,874 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $100,366 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in Vermont cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in Vermont?
How does Vermont physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in Vermont?
How many physical therapists are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont city offers the best value for physical therapists?
Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
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 2.46% 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 physical therapist compensation across Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov