Physical Therapist Salary in South Burlington, VT: $102,187 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in South Burlington, VT earns a median $102,187/year (≈ $49.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in South Burlington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $98,731 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.2% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Burlington, VT, physical therapists can expect a median annual salary of $102,187 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $105,288. For those entering the field or considering a change, salaries range from $78,093 at the 10th percentile to $129,866 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost fluctuations, highlight the financial landscape for physical therapists operating in different structures, whether outpatient clinics, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Typically, outpatient orthopedic chains like ATI tend to offer salaries that align closely with this median, while hospital-based roles may provide higher starting wages due to different reimbursement models and patient volume expectations, creating variability in income potential across the industry.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,093 | $37.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,352 | $41.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,187 | $49.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $119,445 | $57.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,866 | $62.44 |
Median Salary Position
2.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Burlington
In South Burlington, VT, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,773 (2026 est.). At $102,187, the local median is 2.95% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Burlington Physical Therapist Pay Compares
South Burlington median: $102,187/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $108,942 | -6.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -2.95% less |
Physical Therapists in South Burlington, VT earn a median of $102,187 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.95% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.20% below the Vermont state average of $108,942.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Burlington has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,187 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,731 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,806
2025 BLS Actual
$99,734
2026 Current Est.
$102,187
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in South Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,806 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,804 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,842 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,774 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,006 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,734 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,187 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,701 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Burlington metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $86,806 (2019) to $99,734 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,701 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,895 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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 2.46% 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) | $78,093 – $85,352 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,352 – $102,187 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,187 – $119,445 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $119,445 – $129,866 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in South Burlington
Looking closer at the job market, just four physical therapists are currently employed in South Burlington, underscoring a potentially competitive environment for positions. The cost of living index of 103.5 suggests that while salaries may seem attractive, they are offset by higher living expenses compared to national averages, impacting purchasing power. Among local employers, outpatient clinics often provide the most stable pay structure, although specialties such as sports medicine or home health can command higher rates, particularly when involving productivity bonuses. Factors influencing the salary spectrum here include productivity benchmarks—both the number of visits and the complexity of care—as well as board certifications like OCS and SCS, which can offer significant stipends. For professionals looking to maximize their earning potential, exploring diverse practice settings and considering cash-pay models could reveal additional opportunities, especially as trends in reimbursement evolve.
More salary data for South Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in South Burlington, VT in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in South Burlington?
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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
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 $99,734 for physical therapistsin the South Burlington metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 South 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 2.46%, 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