<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001707868</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0000790359</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>NBT BANCORP INC</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>000-14703</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>52 S BROAD ST</com:street1>
        <com:city>NORWICH</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>NY</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>13815</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>6073372265</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>Halliday Sarah A</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>NBT Bancorp Inc. Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Charles Schwab &amp; Co., Inc.</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>3000 Schwab Way</com:street1>
          <com:city>Westlake</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>TX</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>76262</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>4015</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>180000.00</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>52010232</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>05/11/2026</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NASDAQ</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>NBT Bancorp Inc. Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>12/31/2018</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>401k, ESOP and Employer Match Shares</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>NBT Bancorp Inc. and Charles Schwab Trust Company</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>1286</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>12/31/2018</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Cash</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>NBT Bancorp Inc. Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>12/31/2019</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>401k, ESOP and Employer Match Shares</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>NBT Bancorp Inc. and Charles Schwab Trust Company</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>885</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>12/31/2019</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Cash</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>NBT Bancorp Inc. Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>12/31/2020</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>401k, ESOP and Employer Match Shares</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>NBT Bancorp Inc. and Charles Schwab Trust Company</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>1194</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>12/31/2020</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Cash</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>NBT Bancorp Inc. Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>12/31/2021</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>401k, ESOP and Employer Match Shares</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>NBT Bancorp Inc. and Charles Schwab Trust Company</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>650</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>12/31/2021</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Cash</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>05/14/2026</noticeDate>
      <signature>Sarah A Halliday</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
