Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay in Grand Forks, ND: $33.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a occupational therapy assistant working in Grand Forks, ND runs $33.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,771 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Weighted against Grand Forks's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,263 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Grand Forks, North Dakota, the occupational therapy assistant hourly pay stands at a median of $33.06, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $35.74. This hourly rate is essential for individuals working part-time or in per-diem positions, roles that are common in various environments such as skilled nursing facilities, hospital rehab units, school therapy rooms, outpatient clinics, and during home health visits. Occupational therapy assistants in this area earn between $23.04 at the entry-level and up to $39.67 for the top earners in the field. It is noteworthy that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary projections, reflecting the dynamic and financially significant demand for these professionals in Grand Forks by 2026.
About the Grand Forks Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.04 | $184.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.70 | $221.58 |
| Median (P50) | $33.06 | $264.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.24 | $289.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.67 | $317.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Forks
Based on $33.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.06/hr, a occupational therapy assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Forks, ND can expect to earn approximately $68,772 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,676. With a cost-of-living index of 92.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Forks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Forks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,322.55 | $5,731 | $68,772 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $793.53 | $3,439 | $41,263 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $529.02 | $2,292 | $27,509 |
Compare OTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (Grand Forks) | $33.06 |
| 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 Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $68,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.48% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 0.60% above the North Dakota state average of $68,360.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.06/hr = $41,263/year (purchasing power: $44,852).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,772/year (purchasing power: $74,753).
CoL index: 92 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.06/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Grand Forks grew 17.5% from $27.36/hr (2019) to $32.16/hr (2025). At a 2.81% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.99/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 Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks
When analyzing the earning potential for part-time occupational therapy assistants in Grand Forks, those working a 3-day workweek (approximately 24 hours) can expect to take home around $41,542 annually. This contrasts sharply with full-time counterparts, whose earnings can be significantly higher depending on hours worked and the nature of their employment. For per-diem and agency roles, COTAs usually receive between $30 and $45 per hour, while travel contracts may range from $1,100 to $1,700 a week. The type of employer influences hourly rates significantly—those employed in skilled nursing facilities often earn less than those in hospital settings or private outpatient clinics. Additionally, occupational therapy assistants often face the choice between higher pay without benefits or lower pay with job-related health insurance. Negotiating hourly wages in Grand Forks requires an understanding of these trade-offs, alongside a willingness to advocate for fair compensation relative to experience and employment setting.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for occupational therapy assistants in Grand Forks in 2026?
How much do part-time occupational therapy assistants make in Grand Forks?
Are occupational therapy assistants in Grand Forks paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time occupational therapy assistant make per year in Grand Forks?
Do occupational therapy assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Grand Forks?
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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 Grand Forks. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Grand Forks 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 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