OT Assistant Salary

Mandan vs Minot: Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare occupational therapy assistant salaries between Mandan, ND and Minot, ND. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mandan, ND
$63,914
$30.73/hr
Minot, ND
$67,159
$32.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMandan, NDMinot, ND
Median Salary$63,914$67,159
Hourly Rate$30.73$32.29
Entry Level (P10)$50,769$48,169
25th Percentile$56,036$56,850
75th Percentile$68,783$72,238
Top Earner (P90)$75,369$80,117
Total Employed612
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mandan ($63,914) and Minot ($67,159) occupational therapy assistant salaries.MandanMinotMedian Salary$63,914$67,159Entry Level (P10)$50,769$48,169Top Earner (P90)$75,369$80,117US Median $74,332

Verdict

Minot, ND offers better overall compensation for occupational therapy assistants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Mandan.

The salary gap between Mandan and Minot is $3,245 (5.08%). Minot's median is -9.65% compared to the US national median of $74,332.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mandan spans $24,600,Minot spans $31,948. Minot has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced occupational therapy assistants.

Mandan
P10 (Entry)$50,769
P25$56,036
Median$63,914
P75$68,783
P90 (Top)$75,369
Minot
P10 (Entry)$48,169
P25$56,850
Median$67,159
P75$72,238
P90 (Top)$80,117

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Minot ($72,999 effective) pays 5.08% more than Mandan ($69,472 effective).

Mandan
Nominal: $63,914
CoL Index: 92
Adjusted: $69,472
Minot
Nominal: $67,159
CoL Index: 92
Adjusted: $72,999

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mandan if…

  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Minot if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,159/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,117)
  • Larger job market (12 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,999)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, occupational therapy assistant salaries in Mandan grew 16.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.6% growth in Minot over the same period.

Mandan, ND

+16.6%

$53,311 (2024) → $62,167 (2025)

Minot, ND

+16.6%

$56,017 (2024) → $65,323 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays occupational therapy assistants more: Mandan or Minot?

Minot has a higher median occupational therapy assistant salary at $67,159/year, compared to Mandan at $63,914/year — a difference of $3,245 (5.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mandan and Minot?

Mandan occupational therapy assistants earn $30.73/hr while Minot hygienists earn $32.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mandan to Minot as a occupational therapy assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mandan and Minot. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mandan = $69,472, Minot = $72,999), job availability (6 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level occupational therapy assistants earn in Mandan vs Minot?

Entry-level (10th percentile) occupational therapy assistants earn $50,769 in Mandan and $48,169 in Minot. The Mandan area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, COTA/LData verified by Samuel Chen, OTR/L

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.81% 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 Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov