Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Rutland, VT: $57,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Rutland, VT earns a median $57,452/year (≈ $27.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Rutland's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $55,509 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Rutland, Vermont, can expect a median annual salary of $57,452 in 2026, which reflects a notable disparity compared to the national median of $74,332. The projected salary range for this role in Rutland spans from $44,815 at the lower end (P10) to $66,980 at the high end (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost indices. This compensation comes amid a growing demand for occupational therapy services, particularly as pathways like the COTA-to-MOT bridge offer substantial lifetime earning potential, enhancing the value of educational investments in Rutland's job market.
About the Rutland Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,815 | $21.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,452 | $27.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,182 | $29.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,980 | $32.20 |
Median Salary Position
22.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rutland
In Rutland, VT, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,165 (2026 est.). At $57,452, the local median is 22.71% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rutland: You'd be above the median
How Rutland Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Rutland median: $57,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rutland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $61,977 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -22.71% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rutland, VT earn a median of $57,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.71% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 7.30% below the Vermont state average of $61,977.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rutland has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rutland, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,452 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,509 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,542
2025 BLS Actual
$55,882
2026 Current Est.
$57,452
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Rutland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,542 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,647 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,712 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,793 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,386 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,882 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,067 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rutland metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $47,542 (2019) to $55,882 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,067 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,525 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rutland 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,815 – $51,070 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,070 – $57,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,452 – $61,182 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,182 – $66,980 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Rutland
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Rutland remains relatively small but stable, with only four COTAs currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 103.5, slightly above the national average, which impacts purchasing power. Among the different types of employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units typically offer the highest salaries. Variations in pay often arise from work settings; hospital roles tend to come with higher productivity expectations and an increased potential for weekend or PRN shifts, which may include pay premiums. Conversely, educational contracts via local school districts often offer lower annual rates, impacted by the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut for OTA services. To maximize income in this competitive Rutland area, professionals should consider diversifying their experience across different settings, exploring potential incentives, and remaining informed about local employer offerings.
More salary data for Rutland, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $55,882 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Rutland metropolitan area. A 2.81% 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 Rutland 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