Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Bismarck, ND: $67,406 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Bismarck, ND earns a median $67,406/year (≈ $32.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $73,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Bismarck, North Dakota, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $67,406 in 2026. In this locale, salaries range from $50,408 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $80,419 on the high end (90th percentile). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional costs, reflect a post-Medicare-cut reality impacting pay structures, particularly in skilled nursing facilities compared to other settings like schools and hospitals. With Bismarck's current economic conditions and demand for occupational therapy services, the compensation landscape is shaped by the types of employers and the variability in funding sources, making it essential to understand the local job market.
About the Bismarck Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,408 | $24.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,882 | $28.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,406 | $32.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,285 | $34.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,419 | $38.67 |
Median Salary Position
9.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,011 (2026 est.). At $67,406, the local median is 9.32% below the national median of $74,332.
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How Bismarck Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $67,406/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $68,363 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -9.32% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $67,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.32% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 1.40% below the North Dakota state average of $68,363.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $67,406 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,267 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,779
2025 BLS Actual
$65,564
2026 Current Est.
$67,406
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,779 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,076 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,979 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,264 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,767 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,223 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,564 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,406 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,300 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,779 (2019) to $65,564 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,300 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,521 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,408 – $58,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,882 – $67,406 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,406 – $72,285 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,285 – $80,419 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Bismarck
The job market for occupational therapy assistants in Bismarck is relatively modest, with only 11 practitioners currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 92, which is below the national average; this indicates that salaries stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Among the various employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation services typically offer the most competitive pay, largely driven by heightened expectations for productivity in these settings. The ongoing effects of the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut have exacerbated wage discrepancies, particularly squeezing pay in outpatient clinics and skilled nursing environments. To maximize earnings, COTAs in Bismarck may consider pursuing positions in higher-paying sectors, seeking weekend or PRN shifts, or looking into roles that offer year-round contracts, such as those in home health agencies, which can balance the income gap created by seasonal fluctuations in school district contracts.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapy assistants make in Bismarck, ND in 2026?
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Bismarck?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapy assistant salary in Bismarck?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,564 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Bismarck metropolitan area. A 2.81% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bismarck 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