Occupational Therapists Salary
Occupational Therapists in North Dakota make a median of $83,200 a year, or about $40 an hour. The range runs from $67K at the entry level to $106K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $93,599 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 19.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $83K get you in North Dakota?
About occupational therapists
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What this looks like in North Dakota
Pay for occupational therapists in North Dakota runs about 17% below the U.S. median of $100K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,034/month, 19% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, North Dakota can be a reasonable trade-off for occupational therapistss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Dakota
Entry-level occupational therapists (10th percentile) start around $67K. Mid-career wages sit at $83K. Top earners bring in $106K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Occupational Therapists salary by metro in North Dakota
4 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $90K | +8% | 30 |
| Bismarck | $83K | -0% | 130 |
| Fargo | $82K | -2% | 210 |
| Grand Forks | $81K | -3% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track occupational therapists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a occupational therapist afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $83K, rent takes 19% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for occupational therapists in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new occupational therapists typically earn — is $67K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,013/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 26% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is occupational therapist a high-paying job in North Dakota?
Local pay runs 17% below the national median — $83K here vs. $100K nationally. Cost of living is 11% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for occupational therapists?
North Dakota pays $83K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -17%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $94K — below the national median.
How much do occupational therapists make in North Dakota?
The median is $83,200 a year, that works out to about $40 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $66,890, and experienced occupational therapists can clear $106,300. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $83K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,441/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 19% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a occupational therapists salary go in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median occupational therapists salary is worth about $93,599 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do occupational therapists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.