Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $68,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $68,771/year (≈ $33.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $74,751 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Grand Forks, North Dakota, can expect a 2026 median annual salary of $68,771, which reflects local market conditions influenced by the structural divide between skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), hospitals, and educational settings. The range of salaries varies significantly, from $47,933 at the 10th percentile to $82,531 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, take into account regional price parities that affect cost of living, which is notably lower in Grand Forks with a cost of living index of 92. The current salary context is shaped by recent Medicare cuts and the ongoing dynamics in healthcare service delivery, creating various pay scales across the different employment settings.
About the Grand Forks Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,933 | $23.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,612 | $27.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,771 | $33.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,384 | $36.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,531 | $39.67 |
Median Salary Position
7.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,598 (2026 est.). At $68,771, the local median is 7.48% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be above the median
How Grand Forks Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $68,771/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $68,360 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $74,332 | -7.48% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks 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.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $68,771 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,751 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,908
2025 BLS Actual
$66,891
2026 Current Est.
$68,771
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,908 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,231 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,112 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,443 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,997 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,362 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,891 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,703 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $56,908 (2019) to $66,891 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,703 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,795 (24.24%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,933 – $57,612 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,612 – $68,771 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,771 – $75,384 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,384 – $82,531 |
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 Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, the job market for occupational therapy assistants is relatively stable, with just 14 professionals currently employed in the area. While the cost of living is manageable, the purchasing power for these salaries may not provide the same quality of life as elsewhere. Skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehab traditionally offer the most competitive pay, but challenges such as the 15% Medicare reimbursement cut have affected income potential, particularly in SNFs. Factors such as productivity expectations, weekend/PRN premiums, and differences between school-year versus year-round contracts drive the disparity in pay. To enhance their earnings, occupational therapy assistants should consider pursuing opportunities in higher-paying facilities and focusing on areas that maximize billable hours, while also remaining informed on credentialing pathways, such as the COTA-to-MOT transition, which may further enhance their skill set and employability in a shifting market.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $66,891 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Grand Forks 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 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