Occupational Therapist Salary in North Dakota: $85,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median occupational therapist pay sits at $85,550/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1122. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $92,989 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: West Fargo ($90,713), Dickinson ($90,255), Minot ($89,670).
In North Dakota, the average median salary for occupational therapists in 2026 is projected to be $85,549, which is significantly lower than the national median of $103,400, reflecting a 17.3% disparity. The variation in salaries across the state is noteworthy, with West Fargo offering the highest salary at $93,489, while Grand Forks has the lowest at $83,303, creating a disparity of $10,186 between these two cities. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the presence of healthcare facilities in urban versus rural areas. The state of North Dakota mandates specific licensing requirements for occupational therapists, including completing a master’s or doctoral degree in the field and passing a national examination. Additionally, the scope of practice is defined by state laws, and the demand for occupational therapy services is driven by an increasingly aging population and a growing awareness of mental health and rehabilitation needs. The job market for occupational therapists in North Dakota is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.06%, indicating potential opportunities for employment. As of 2026, there are a total of 457 occupational therapists employed in the state, with cities like Dickinson ($93,017), Minot ($92,414), Williston ($90,772), and Mandan ($88,909) also providing competitive salaries in the profession.
North Dakota Occupational Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $40,162 (lowest entry-level) to $123,784 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota occupational therapists earn 17.26% less than the national median ($-17,850/year difference).
North Dakota Occupational Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Occupational Therapist salaries in North Dakota range from $68,199 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $112,980 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,550. The North Dakota median is $17,850 below the US national median of $103,400. The average hourly rate is $41.13/hr. Approximately 457 occupational therapists are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$69,935
2025 BLS Actual
$83,009
2026 Current Est.
$85,550
2019–2027 Growth
+26.1%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,935 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,654 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,789 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,963 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,041 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,646 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,009 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,167 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.7% from $69,935 (2019) to $83,009 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,167 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,232 (26.07%) 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 3.06% 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
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $83,303 |
| Fargo | $84,375 |
| Bismarck | $85,622 |
| Mandan | $88,909 |
| Williston | $90,772 |
Best Value Cities for Occupational Therapists in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for occupational therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $92,414 | 87.028 | $106,189 |
| West Fargo | $93,489 | 92 | $101,618 |
| Dickinson | $93,017 | 92 | $101,105 |
| Williston | $90,772 | 92 | $98,665 |
| Mandan | $88,909 | 92 | $96,640 |
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) | $68,199 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,550 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $112,980 |
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 | West Fargo | $93,489 |
| 2 | Dickinson | $93,017 |
| 3 | Minot | $92,414 |
| 4 | Williston | $90,772 |
| 5 | Mandan | $88,909 |
| 6 | Bismarck | $85,622 |
| 7 | Fargo | $84,375 |
| 8 | Grand Forks | $83,303 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore occupational therapist hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced occupational therapists.
Explore More Occupational Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for occupational therapists in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota occupational therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level occupational therapist salary in North Dakota?
How many occupational therapists are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for occupational therapists?
Written by Jordan Miller, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in occupational therapy. They specialize in pediatrics and work in a rehabilitation clinic.
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 3.06% 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 therapist compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more occupational therapistscontribute 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 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapists (SOC 29-1122).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Miller, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov