Medical Assistant Pay

Barre vs Burlington: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Barre, VT and Burlington, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barre, VT
$46,864
$22.53/hr
Burlington, VT
$49,504
$23.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarre, VTBurlington, VT
Median Salary$46,864$49,504
Hourly Rate$22.53$23.80
Entry Level (P10)$37,872$46,019
25th Percentile$39,271$48,549
75th Percentile$48,412$56,232
Top Earner (P90)$55,834$63,549
Total Employed6580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barre ($46,864) and Burlington ($49,504) medical assistant salaries.BarreBurlingtonMedian Salary$46,864$49,504Entry Level (P10)$37,872$46,019Top Earner (P90)$55,834$63,549US Median $47,961

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barre.

The salary gap between Barre and Burlington is $2,640 (5.63%). Burlington's median is +3.22% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barre spans $17,962,Burlington spans $17,530. Barre has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Barre
P10 (Entry)$37,872
P25$39,271
Median$46,864
P75$48,412
P90 (Top)$55,834
Burlington
P10 (Entry)$46,019
P25$48,549
Median$49,504
P75$56,232
P90 (Top)$63,549

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($49,039 effective) pays 8.30% more than Barre ($45,279 effective).

Barre
Nominal: $46,864
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $45,279
Burlington
Nominal: $49,504
CoL Index: 100.949
Adjusted: $49,039

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barre if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,504/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,549)
  • Larger job market (580 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,039)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Barre grew 3.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.9% growth in Burlington over the same period.

Barre, VT

+3.8%

$42,994 (2024) → $44,645 (2025)

Burlington, VT

+33.9%

$35,230 (2019) → $47,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Barre or Burlington?

Burlington has a higher median medical assistant salary at $49,504/year, compared to Barre at $46,864/year — a difference of $2,640 (5.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barre and Burlington?

Barre medical assistants earn $22.53/hr while Burlington hygienists earn $23.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barre to Burlington as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barre and Burlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barre = $45,279, Burlington = $49,039), job availability (6 vs 580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Barre vs Burlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $37,872 in Barre and $46,019 in Burlington. The Burlington area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% 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 Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov