Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $31.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Fargo, ND runs $31.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,449 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,275 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay is projected at $31.47 for 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $35.74 per hour. This hourly rate allows for various working arrangements, including part-time positions typically seen in skilled nursing facilities, hospital settings, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. Entry-level occupational therapy assistants might start at approximately $24.37 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $40.85 per hour. This range reflects the demand for skilled support in therapeutic environments where COTAs effectively assist licensed occupational therapists in delivering patient-centered care, meeting regulatory standards according to Medicare and state guidelines. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.37 | $194.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.15 | $241.23 |
| Median (P50) | $31.47 | $251.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.40 | $259.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.85 | $326.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $31.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.47/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $65,458 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,764. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,258.81 | $5,455 | $65,458 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $755.28 | $3,273 | $39,275 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.52 | $2,182 | $26,183 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Fargo) | $31.47 |
| Occupational Therapist (National Avg) | $47.00 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Recreational Therapist (National Avg) | $27.50 |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fargo, ND earn a median of $65,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.95% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.30% below the North Dakota state average of $68,390.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.47/hr = $39,275/year (purchasing power: $43,220).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,458/year (purchasing power: $72,034).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Fargo grew 10.3% from $27.74/hr (2019) to $30.61/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.35/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem occupational therapy assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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 2.81% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Occupational Therapy Assistant in Fargo
Considering part-time work, an occupational therapy assistant who commits to three days a week, or about 24 hours, could anticipate an annual income of roughly $39,000 if working consistently at the median rate. On the other hand, per diem occupational therapy assistant pay in Fargo typically ranges from $30 to $45 per hour, making it an appealing option for professionals who prefer flexible schedules. Travel contracts for occupational therapy assistants can yield weekly earnings of $1,100 to $1,700, although the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut has influenced pay structures, particularly in skilled nursing facilities. Notably, hourly rates may vary significantly based on employment settings in Fargo, with outpatient clinics often offering different compensation compared to school districts or home health agencies. Occupational therapy assistants should weigh the trade-offs between lower hourly wages with benefits versus higher rates without, particularly when negotiating job offers, where understanding local market trends can lead to more favorable outcomes.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Fargo in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Fargo?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Fargo paid hourly or salary?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for occupational therapy assistants in Fargo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
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