Senior Medical Assistant Salary in South Burlington, VT: $62,437 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical assistants working in South Burlington, VT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $62,437/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 31-9092. Strip back South Burlington's price premium (BEA RPP 103.5, 4% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $60,326 in average-cost America. The 25% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Achieving the highest tier of compensation as a medical assistant in South Burlington, VT, can be particularly rewarding, with top earners projected to make up to $62,437 in 2026. This figure significantly surpasses the city's median annual salary of $49,756, illustrating a notable gap that reflects the experience and skills of seasoned professionals. To reach this upper echelon of earnings, medical assistants typically accumulate extensive experience (often over seven years), along with specialized certifications that enhance their value in the job market. In a competitive landscape marked by a projected growth rate of 4.97% annually for this profession, the demand for highly trained medical assistants continues to rise, encouraging professionals to seek advanced clinical roles and further develop their expertise.
About the South Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Burlington
Experienced medical assistants at the top of the pay scale in South Burlington earn between $53,205 and $62,437 per year (2026 est.). This $22,384 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The South Burlington median of $49,756 sits 3.74% above the US median.
Top MA, CMA Salary Comparison
| Level | South Burlington | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $49,756 | $47,961 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,205 | $51,624 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $62,437 | $62,258 |
In South Burlington, experienced medical assistants (P90) earn 25.49% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Medical Assistant Pay in South Burlington
Advanced Certifications in Vermont
VT medical assistants with additional specialty certifications within the medical assisting field earn significantly above the $49,756 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by South Burlington employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Assistants focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical assisting field in South Burlington command premium compensation, often reaching the $53,205–$62,437 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the South Burlington metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced medical assistants who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured medical assistants in South Burlington with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Medical Assistants in Vermont who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Medical Assistant Career & Wage Growth Path in South Burlington
Clinical Medical Assistant
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Medical Assistant
5-10 yearsMedical Assistant Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedSouth Burlington ranks #2 of 9 Vermont cities for top earner medical assistant salary (90th percentile: $62,437).
Top 10% medical assistant compensation in South Burlington ($62,437) is 1.14% below the Vermont average P90 ($63,159).
2019 BLS Actual
$48,860
2025 BLS Actual
$59,481
2026 Current Est.
$62,437
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in South Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,726 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,309 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,859 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,643 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,407 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,481 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,437 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,540 | Projected |
Top-earning medical assistants (90th percentile) in South Burlington saw their compensation grow 21.7% from $48,860 in 2019 to $59,481 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 4.97% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $65,540 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Burlington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Maximizing Your Medical Assistant Earnings in South Burlington
In South Burlington, medical assistants can command higher salaries by pursuing specialized roles that are in high demand, such as phlebotomy or EKG technicians, dermatology assistants, or pediatric medical assistants. Different employer types also influence senior medical assistant pay; for example, those working in specialty practices like cardiology or dermatology can expect a premium compared to positions in primary care or urgent care settings. Additionally, those who gain advanced credentials, such as the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) from respected certifying bodies, position themselves favorably for lucrative opportunities. Career advancement paths, including roles like lead medical assistant, clinical operations supervisor, or practice manager, further enhance earning potential. Together with non-salary benefits such as bilingual pay premiums and shift differentials in urgent care environments, these factors create a compelling landscape for experienced medical assistants in South Burlington looking to optimize their careers.
More salary data for South Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical assistants make in South Burlington in 2026?
What drives higher medical assistant pay in South Burlington?
What certifications boost medical assistant salary in South Burlington?
Can experienced medical assistants make six figures in South Burlington?
How much does medical assistant salary increase over time in South Burlington?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $59,481 for medical assistants in the South Burlington metro area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for South Burlington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov