Physical Therapist Pay

Bennington vs South Burlington: Physical Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare physical therapist salaries between Bennington, VT and South Burlington, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bennington, VT
$104,422
$50.21/hr
South Burlington, VT
$102,187
$49.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBennington, VTSouth Burlington, VT
Median Salary$104,422$102,187
Hourly Rate$50.21$49.13
Entry Level (P10)$82,801$78,093
25th Percentile$89,070$85,352
75th Percentile$119,938$119,445
Top Earner (P90)$129,283$129,866
Total Employed64
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bennington ($104,422) and South Burlington ($102,187) physical therapist salaries.BenningtonSouth BurlingtonMedian Salary$104,422$102,187Entry Level (P10)$82,801$78,093Top Earner (P90)$129,283$129,866US Median $105,288

Verdict

Bennington, VT offers better overall compensation for physical therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to South Burlington.

The salary gap between Bennington and South Burlington is $2,235 (2.19%). Bennington's median is -0.82% compared to the US national median of $105,288.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bennington spans $46,482,South Burlington spans $51,773. South Burlington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced physical therapists.

Bennington
P10 (Entry)$82,801
P25$89,070
Median$104,422
P75$119,938
P90 (Top)$129,283
South Burlington
P10 (Entry)$78,093
P25$85,352
Median$102,187
P75$119,445
P90 (Top)$129,866

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bennington ($100,891 effective) pays 2.19% more than South Burlington ($98,731 effective).

Bennington
Nominal: $104,422
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $100,891
South Burlington
Nominal: $102,187
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $98,731

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bennington if…

  • Higher median salary ($104,422/year)
  • Larger job market (6 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,891)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose South Burlington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($129,866)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, physical therapist salaries in Bennington grew 14.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.3% growth in South Burlington over the same period.

Bennington, VT

+14.2%

$89,260 (2024) → $101,915 (2025)

South Burlington, VT

+13.3%

$88,006 (2024) → $99,734 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays physical therapists more: Bennington or South Burlington?

Bennington has a higher median physical therapist salary at $104,422/year, compared to South Burlington at $102,187/year — a difference of $2,235 (2.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bennington and South Burlington?

Bennington physical therapists earn $50.21/hr while South Burlington hygienists earn $49.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bennington to South Burlington as a physical therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bennington and South Burlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bennington = $100,891, South Burlington = $98,731), job availability (6 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level physical therapists earn in Bennington vs South Burlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) physical therapists earn $82,801 in Bennington and $78,093 in South Burlington. The Bennington area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Alex Morgan, DPT

Career Analyst

Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.

Clinically reviewed by Jordan Lee, DPTData verified by Maria Garcia, DPT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.46% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov