Physician Assistant Programs in Vermont: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Vermont employs about 410 physician assistants (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state medical or physician assistant board. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare physician assistant programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Vermont
Physician assistants are licensed state by state. The national framework is graduation from an ARC-PA-accredited master’s program and a passing score on the PANCE, the national certifying examination administered by the NCCPA. Supervision or collaboration requirements, prescriptive authority and the practice agreements a PA must hold with a physician are set by each state medical or PA board and differ meaningfully between them.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state medical or physician assistant board that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Physician Assistants Earn in Vermont
Physician Assistants in Vermont earn a median $150,490 per year, above the national median of $135,880 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Physician Assistant Pay and Employment in Vermont at a Glance
| Metric | Vermont | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $150,490 | $135,880 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $112,460 | $99,380 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $131,400 | $120,670 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $166,050 | $163,980 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $186,960 | $190,280 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 410 | 162,150 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.3 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 20.4% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Vermont Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Vermont median of $150,490 sits above the national median of $135,880 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 1.3 puts Vermont well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Vermont
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $163,560 | 200 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. PAs are hired by hospital systems, physician groups and urgent care networks, so the local mix of those employers is what determines how many positions are open in a given market.
Physician Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Vermont
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), physician assistants wages in Vermont vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington-South Burlington | 200 | $163,560 | $156,280 | $109,510 | $218,190 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Vermont Metro Areas With Published Data
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physician assistants make in Vermont?
The median annual wage for physician assistants in Vermont is $150,490, above the national median of $135,880 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $131,400 at the 25th percentile to $166,050 at the 75th.
How many physician assistants work in Vermont?
Vermont holds about 410 physician assistant jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 162,150, and BLS projects about 12,000 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a physician assistant in Vermont?
Physician assistants are licensed state by state. The national framework is graduation from an ARC-PA-accredited master's program and a passing score on the PANCE, the national certifying examination administered by the NCCPA. Supervision or collaboration requirements, prescriptive authority and the practice agreements a PA must hold with a physician are set by each state medical or PA board and differ meaningfully between them. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state medical or physician assistant board before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn an ARC-PA-accredited master's degree online while working in Vermont?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state medical or physician assistant board.
What is the highest-paying area of Vermont for physician assistants?
Among Vermont metro areas with published data, Burlington reports the highest median at $163,560 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Vermont a good state for physician assistants?
On pay, the state median of $150,490 sits above the national $135,880 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.3 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Physician Assistant programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Medical Assistant career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Physician Assistants (SOC 29-1071), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.