Physician Assistant Salary in Vermont: $164,159 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median physician assistant pay sits at $164,159/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1071. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $158,608 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: South Burlington ($164,391), Burlington ($163,560), Bennington ($134,762).
In 2026, physician assistants (PAs) in Vermont are projected to earn an average median salary of $164,159, which is significantly higher than the national median of $140,391, showing a positive variance of 16.9%. This salary landscape varies across the state, with South Burlington offering the highest average at $169,849, while Montpelier presents the lowest at $133,827, highlighting a gap of $36,022 between these cities. The difference in pay can be influenced by factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of specialty practices. In Vermont, PAs must adhere to specific state licensing requirements and are subject to scope of practice laws that dictate their clinical responsibilities. Employment trends, alongside a projected annual compound growth rate of 3.32%, suggest that the job market for PAs in the state is gradually strengthening. The top cities projected for compensation in 2026 include Burlington at $168,990, Bennington at $139,236, Brattleboro at $137,664, and Essex Junction at $137,368, indicating that urban centers with larger populations may provide more competitive salaries. Overall, the outlook for physician assistants in Vermont remains promising, with opportunities for growth and advancement in the coming years.
Vermont Physician Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $102,449 (lowest entry-level) to $229,465 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont physician assistants earn 16.93% more than the national median (+$23,768/year difference).
Vermont Physician Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physician Assistant salaries in Vermont range from $112,146 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $218,666 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $164,159. The Vermont median is $23,768 above the US national median of $140,391. The average hourly rate is $78.93/hr. Approximately 240 physician assistants are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$116,570
2025 BLS Actual
$158,884
2026 Current Est.
$164,159
2019–2027 Growth
+45.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Vermont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,108 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,159 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $169,609 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 36.3% from $116,570 (2019) to $158,884 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $169,609 by 2027 — a total increase of $53,039 (45.50%) 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 3.32% 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 | $133,827 |
| Colchester | $134,505 |
| Rutland | $134,658 |
| Barre | $137,182 |
| Essex Junction | $137,368 |
Best Value Cities for Physician Assistants in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for physician assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $168,990 | 100.949 | $167,401 |
| South Burlington | $169,849 | 103.5 | $164,105 |
| Bennington | $139,236 | 103.5 | $134,528 |
| Brattleboro | $137,664 | 103.5 | $133,009 |
| Essex Junction | $137,368 | 103.5 | $132,723 |
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) | $112,146 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $164,159 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $218,666 |
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 | South Burlington | $169,849 |
| 2 | Burlington | $168,990 |
| 3 | Bennington | $139,236 |
| 4 | Brattleboro | $137,664 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $137,368 |
| 6 | Barre | $137,182 |
| 7 | Rutland | $134,658 |
| 8 | Colchester | $134,505 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $133,827 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physician assistant hourly pay in Vermont cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new physician assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physician assistants.
Explore More Physician Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physician assistants in Vermont?
How does Vermont physician assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physician assistant salary in Vermont?
How many physician assistants are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont city offers the best value for physician assistants?
Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient 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 3.32% 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 physician assistant compensation across Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physician assistantscontribute 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 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov