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Physical Therapist Assistant in Vermont: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Allied healthcare

Vermont employs 100 physical therapist assistants, with a statewide median of $71,600 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Vermont licensing picture, and where to train.

What Physical therapist assistants Earn in Vermont (May 2025)

Vermont median pay: $71,600 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $60,580
Experienced (75th percentile): $77,120
Top earners (90th percentile): $83,250
Employed in Vermont: 100
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,510 (May 2024)

What That Pay Is Worth in Vermont

Prices in Vermont run about 2% below the national average (cost-of-living index 98.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $71,600 median stretches to roughly $73,061 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Vermont (2024–2034)

Vermont is projected to grow physical therapist assistants employment +18.6%, slower than the +22.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Vermont License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) — regulated by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Board of Physical Therapy.

Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.
Pass the National Physical Therapy Exam (NPTE) for PTAs.
Apply to the Vermont Board of Physical Therapy (OPR).

Official requirements: Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Board of Physical Therapy →

Training in Vermont

A 2-year associate leads to a well-paid, hands-on clinical role. Verify CAPTE accreditation and NPTE pass rates.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Vermont include:

Community College of Vermont — Associate
Vermont State University — Associate

Where Physical therapist assistants Work in Vermont

Real Vermont outpatient rehab clinics that employ physical therapist assistants include:

Vermont Veterans' Home — Bennington
Birchwood Terrace Rehab & Healthcare — Burlington
Mountain View Center Genesis Healthcare — Rutland
Woodridge Nursing Home — Barre
Elderwood at Burlington — Burlington
Premier Rehab and Healthcare at Burlington — Burlington

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like active work and helping patients make visible progress.

Think twice if: You need low-contact work or dislike repetitive coaching and physical assistance.

Why it's resilient: Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

First Steps

Look for CAPTE-accredited PTA programs in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do physical therapist assistants make in Vermont?

The median wage for physical therapist assistants in Vermont is $71,600 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $60,580, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $83,250. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Vermont?

Licensed Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA), overseen by the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Board of Physical Therapy. Earn a CAPTE-accredited PTA associate degree.

Is being a Physical Therapist Assistant a good career in Vermont?

Rehab work is physical, relationship-based, adaptive, and centered on coaching real movement.

Where can I train to become a Physical Therapist Assistant in Vermont?

Real Vermont options include Community College of Vermont, Vermont State University. Most physical therapist assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Physical Therapist Assistant a growing career in Vermont?

Vermont projects physical therapist assistants employment to change +18.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Vermont statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2021. Licensing summary compiled from the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Board of Physical Therapy (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Vermont wages · Vermont licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.