Physician Assistant Salary in South Burlington, VT: $169,849 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in South Burlington, VT earns a median $169,849/year (≈ $81.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in South Burlington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $164,105 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.9% above the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physician assistants in South Burlington, Vermont, can expect a median annual salary of $169,849, significantly higher than the national median of $140,391, reflecting a 20.98% increase over national pay rates. The salary spectrum for this role ranges from $126,314 at the low end (P10) to $229,465 (P90) for those at the higher end of the income bracket. These figures, drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, illustrate how specialization can influence earnings, particularly in an evolving market where surgical positions command the top salaries, as opposed to primary care roles. Given South Burlington's growth and healthcare demand, PAs in surgical settings may find an increased number of opportunities, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $126,314 | $60.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $150,556 | $72.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,849 | $81.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $203,100 | $97.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $229,465 | $110.33 |
Median Salary Position
20.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Burlington
In South Burlington, VT, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $103,151 (2026 est.). At $169,849, the local median is 20.98% above the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Burlington Physician Assistant Pay Compares
South Burlington median: $169,849/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $145,294 | +16.90% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | +20.98% more |
Physician Assistants in South Burlington, VT earn a median of $169,849 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.98% higher than the national median of $140,391 and 16.90% above the Vermont state average of $145,294.
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 $169,849 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $164,105 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$135,815
2025 BLS Actual
$164,391
2026 Current Est.
$169,849
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in South Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $135,815 | Actual |
| 2020 | $139,602 | Actual |
| 2021 | $147,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $152,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $157,301 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,297 | Actual |
| 2025 | $164,391 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,849 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Burlington metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $135,815 (2019) to $164,391 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,673 (29.21%) 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 3.32% 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) | $126,314 – $150,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $150,556 – $169,849 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,849 – $203,100 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $203,100 – $229,465 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in South Burlington
The local job market for physician assistants in South Burlington is relatively small, with only four individuals currently employing in the field. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 103.5, indicating that expenses are somewhat above the national average, which can affect the real purchasing power of salaries earned here. Among potential employers, surgical specialty practices generally offer the highest pay, due to the nature of the work, including first-assist responsibilities, high case volumes, and the compensation structures that favor hospital employment over independent contracting. The disparity between salaries often arises from the type of practice, with surgical positions typically outperforming primary care in compensation. To maximize earnings in this region, aspiring physician assistants should consider obtaining additional training or certifications in high-demand specialties, negotiate effectively based on their experience, and explore all employment avenues, from urgent care facilities to thriving hospital systems that might offer robust benefits packages as well.
More salary data for South Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $164,391 for physician assistantsin the South Burlington metropolitan area. A 3.32% 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 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