Occupational Therapist Salary in Williston, ND: $90,772 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapist in Williston, ND earns a median $90,772/year (≈ $43.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1122). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $98,665 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapists in Williston, ND, can expect a median annual salary of $90,772 in 2026. This amount is notably lower than the national average of $103,400, setting the backdrop for state-specific compensation trends, especially within the local healthcare settings. The salary range for professionals in this field varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning $68,513 and the highest 90% making $115,059. These figures reflect data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, incorporating regional price variations. Williston’s healthcare landscape, featuring a mix of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient services, provides diverse opportunities for occupational therapists, each with different contractual structures and funding sources influencing pay scales.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($84,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,513 | $32.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,322 | $36.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,772 | $43.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,179 | $50.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,059 | $55.31 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the occupational therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,546 (2026 est.). At $90,772, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $103,400.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Occupational Therapist Pay Compares
Williston median: $90,772/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $95,149 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $103,400 | -12.21% less |
Occupational Therapists in Williston, ND earn a median of $90,772 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $103,400 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $95,149.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston 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.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapist earning $90,772 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,665 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$74,575
2025 BLS Actual
$88,077
2026 Current Est.
$90,772
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapists in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,575 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,743 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,601 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,077 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,772 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,550 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapist salary grew 18.1% from $74,575 (2019) to $88,077 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,550 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,975 (25.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $68,513 – $76,322 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,322 – $90,772 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,772 – $104,179 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,179 – $115,059 |
OT, OTR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapist Job Market in Williston
In Williston, the local job market shows a modest presence with only seven employed occupational therapists, indicating a relatively small community of practitioners. With a cost-of-living index of 92, living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of therapists in the area. Among local employers, skilled nursing facilities and hospital inpatient rehabilitation units tend to offer the highest compensation packages, while school district contracts typically provide less. Several factors drive the discrepancies in pay, including the setting of practice—hospitals generally offer higher salaries compared to schools or skilled nursing facilities. Strategies for maximizing occupational therapist pay in Williston may include pursuing advanced certifications such as the Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential, which commands a premium, or negotiating year-round contracts, particularly in settings with higher patient volumes and productivity expectations.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do occupational therapists make in Williston, ND in 2026?
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Can occupational therapists make $100K in Williston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted occupational therapist salary in Williston?
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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
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 $88,077 for occupational therapistsin the Williston metropolitan area. A 3.06% 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 Williston 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 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