Medical Assistant Pay

Burlington vs Essex Junction: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Burlington, VT
$49,504
$23.80/hr
Essex Junction, VT
$46,928
$22.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, VTEssex Junction, VT
Median Salary$49,504$46,928
Hourly Rate$23.80$22.56
Entry Level (P10)$46,019$38,032
25th Percentile$48,549$41,249
75th Percentile$56,232$50,217
Top Earner (P90)$63,549$58,945
Total Employed5806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($49,504) and Essex Junction ($46,928) medical assistant salaries.BurlingtonEssex JunctionMedian Salary$49,504$46,928Entry Level (P10)$46,019$38,032Top Earner (P90)$63,549$58,945US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Burlington and Essex Junction is $2,576 (5.49%). 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 Burlington spans $17,530,Essex Junction spans $20,913. Essex Junction has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$46,019
P25$48,549
Median$49,504
P75$56,232
P90 (Top)$63,549
Essex Junction
P10 (Entry)$38,032
P25$41,249
Median$46,928
P75$50,217
P90 (Top)$58,945

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($49,039 effective) pays 8.15% more than Essex Junction ($45,341 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $49,504
CoL Index: 100.949
Adjusted: $49,039
Essex Junction
Nominal: $46,928
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $45,341

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Essex Junction if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Burlington grew 33.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.8% growth in Essex Junction over the same period.

Burlington, VT

+33.9%

$35,230 (2019) → $47,160 (2025)

Essex Junction, VT

+3.8%

$43,052 (2024) → $44,706 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Burlington or Essex Junction?

Burlington has a higher median medical assistant salary at $49,504/year, compared to Essex Junction at $46,928/year — a difference of $2,576 (5.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Essex Junction?

Burlington medical assistants earn $23.80/hr while Essex Junction hygienists earn $22.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Essex Junction as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Essex Junction. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $49,039, Essex Junction = $45,341), job availability (580 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $46,019 in Burlington and $38,032 in Essex Junction. The Burlington area offers higher starting salaries.
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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