Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Burlington, VT: $28.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Burlington, VT runs $28.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,492 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,695 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, an occupational therapy assistant earns a median hourly rate of $28.60, which is significantly lower than the national median of $35.74 per hour. This hourly pay reflects the local job market's conditions, meaning that COTAs working in various environments—such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, and school districts—may have earning potential impacted by the region's economic dynamics. Entry-level occupational therapy assistants might earn around $21.66 an hour, while experienced professionals can command up to $34.60 per hour. These figures are projections for 2026, derived from annual salary estimates, providing insights for part-time and per-diem workers who typically enjoy flexible schedules across different therapy settings.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.66 | $173.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.15 | $201.18 |
| Median (P50) | $28.60 | $228.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.06 | $248.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.60 | $276.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $28.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.60/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, VT can expect to earn approximately $59,492 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,322. 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) | $1,144.07 | $4,958 | $59,492 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $686.44 | $2,975 | $35,695 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.63 | $1,983 | $23,797 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Burlington) | $28.60 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Burlington, VT earn a median of $59,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.96% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.00% below the Vermont state average of $61,971.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.60/hr = $35,695/year (purchasing power: $34,488).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,492/year (purchasing power: $57,480).
CoL index: 103.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Burlington grew 17.5% from $23.67/hr (2019) to $27.82/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.41/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy 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 2.81% 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 Occupational Therapy Assistant in Burlington
For COTAs in Burlington contemplating part-time work, those putting in a 24-hour workweek could expect to take home a substantially lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Burlington can vary widely; many agency COTAs may bill between $30 to $45 per hour, while travel contracts can yield up to $1,700 per week. Despite the attractive rates, the challenges posed by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cuts impacting services can dilute earnings in skilled nursing facilities and outpatient settings. Additionally, hourly rates vary depending on employer type, where school districts may offer steady contracts with benefits, attracting some COTAs despite slightly lower pay. This trade-off highlights negotiation considerations, emphasizing the importance of weighing hourly wages against benefits, such as health insurance, when evaluating job opportunities in Burlington's growing healthcare sector.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Burlington?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Burlington?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Burlington?
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
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 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy 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 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov