Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in North Dakota: $66,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapy assistant pay sits at $66,526/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2011. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,311 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Grand Forks ($66,891), Bismarck ($65,564), West Fargo ($65,370).
In 2026, the average median salary for occupational therapy assistants in North Dakota is projected to be $66,525, which is 10.5% lower than the national median of $74,332. The highest-paying city in the state is Grand Forks, with a projected salary of $68,771, while Mandan offers the lowest at $63,914. This $4,857 salary gap can be attributed to variations in local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and the availability of jobs in these areas. Occupational therapy assistants in North Dakota must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws that reflect national standards. Demand for these professionals is driven by an aging population and increased awareness of rehabilitation services, projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.81% through 2026. Overall, there are 94 occupational therapy assistants employed across the state, with other cities like Bismarck, West Fargo, Minot, and Dickinson offering competitive salaries ranging from $66,867 to $67,406. This stable job market indicates a continued need for qualified personnel in the field. As you consider a career in this area, be mindful of regional salary variations and the factors that influence job availability and compensation.
North Dakota Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $47,404 (lowest entry-level) to $84,952 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota occupational therapy assistants earn 10.5% less than the national median ($-7,806/year difference).
North Dakota Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapy Assistant salaries in North Dakota range from $49,402 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,163 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,526. The North Dakota median is $7,806 below the US national median of $74,332. The average hourly rate is $31.99/hr. Approximately 94 occupational therapy assistants are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$57,710
2025 BLS Actual
$64,707
2026 Current Est.
$66,526
2019–2027 Growth
+18.5%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,707 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,395 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 12.1% from $57,710 (2019) to $64,707 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,685 (18.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapy Assistants in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapy assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $68,771 | 92 | $74,751 |
| Bismarck | $67,406 | 92 | $73,267 |
| West Fargo | $67,207 | 92 | $73,051 |
| Minot | $67,159 | 92 | $72,999 |
| Dickinson | $66,867 | 92 | $72,682 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,402 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,526 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,163 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks | $68,771 |
| 2 | Bismarck | $67,406 |
| 3 | West Fargo | $67,207 |
| 4 | Minot | $67,159 |
| 5 | Dickinson | $66,867 |
| 6 | Fargo | $65,449 |
| 7 | Williston | $65,254 |
| 8 | Mandan | $63,914 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapy assistant hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new occupational therapy assistants.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapy assistants.
Explore More Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapy assistants in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota occupational therapy assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapy assistant salary in North Dakota?
How many occupational therapy assistants are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for occupational therapy assistants?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 occupational therapy assistant compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapy assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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