Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Dickinson, ND: $66,867 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Dickinson, ND earns a median $66,867/year (≈ $32.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Dickinson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $72,682 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, occupational therapy assistants in Dickinson, North Dakota, can expect a median annual salary of $66,867, reflecting local salary estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price approximations. The salary range for this role spans from $47,404 for the lowest ten percent to $83,152 for those at the top end of the scale. While local compensation is slightly below the national median salary for occupational therapy assistants, which stands at $74,332, the 2.81% projected annual growth rate signifies a solid outlook for job seekers in the area. As students pursue pathways from Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), understanding the local salary dynamics can greatly influence lifetime earnings, making Dickinson an important consideration for aspiring OTs.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,404 | $22.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,244 | $27.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,867 | $32.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,185 | $33.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,152 | $39.97 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dickinson
In Dickinson, ND, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,748 (2026 est.). At $66,867, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $74,332.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dickinson: You'd be above the median
How Dickinson Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Dickinson median: $66,867/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dickinson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $68,371 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -10.04% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dickinson, ND earn a median of $66,867 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $68,371.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dickinson 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.
Dickinson, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $66,867 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,682 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,333
2025 BLS Actual
$65,039
2026 Current Est.
$66,867
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,333 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,619 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,531 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,797 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,774 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,867 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dickinson metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $55,333 (2019) to $65,039 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,413 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dickinson 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) | $47,404 – $56,244 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,244 – $66,867 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,867 – $70,185 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,185 – $83,152 |
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 Dickinson
Regarding the occupational therapy assistant pay in Dickinson ND, the local market shows modest employment strength with only four occupational therapy assistants actively working in the area. The cost-of-living index at 92 suggests a slightly lower living expense compared to the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers in skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest pay within the community, while settings like school districts tend to pay less. The disparity between lower and higher wages is often influenced by productivity expectations and varying contract structures. For instance, positions at inpatient rehabilitation facilities may come with weekend premiums and potentially higher compensation compared to school-year contracts. With the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut affecting OTAs since 2022, it becomes essential for professionals in Dickinson to maximize their earnings by exploring opportunities with high-paying employers and considering specialties that may offer better financial prospects.
More salary data for Dickinson, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Dickinson?
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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 $65,039 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Dickinson 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 Dickinson 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