Entry-Level Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Mandan, ND: $46,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physical therapist assistants entering the Mandan, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $46,706 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-2021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mandan's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $50,767 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($59,912) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting a career as a physical therapist assistant in Mandan, ND means entering a job market where the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary is projected at $46,706 in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap from the city median salary of $59,912, highlighting that new grads may initially feel the pinch as they build experience. However, this starting pay offers a pathway through realistic salary growth, moving from the entry-level P10 to P25 values and eventually reaching the median as professionals accumulate clinical experience. Given the steady annual growth rate of 2.73% for this occupation, Mandan presents a decent market for new graduates looking to begin their careers, especially in a region where the cost of living index is below the national average.
About the Mandan Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mandan
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mandan
Entry-level physical therapist assistants in Mandan, ND typically start between $46,706 and $53,843 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,730 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $59,912 — 14.71% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physical therapy program cost in North Dakota of $16,000 represents just 34.26% of the starting physical therapist assistant pay ($46,706/year) in Mandan. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAPTE-accredited Physical Therapist Assistant associate degree programs. Tuition varies between community college and private technical school programs.
PTA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Mandan
- 1Research the Mandan market: entry-level physical therapist assistant pay ranges from $46,706 to $53,843, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physical therapy field — employers in ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mandan, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Mandan for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mandan's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physical Therapist Assistant Compensation Range
The physical therapist assistant wage spread in Mandan is $27,730 ( 59.37%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $46,706, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,436.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,849
2025 BLS Actual
$45,465
2026 Current Est.
$46,706
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Mandan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,849 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,221 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,496 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,266 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,095 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,797 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,465 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,981 | Projected |
Entry-level physical therapist assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Mandan, ND grew 42.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $31,849 in 2019 to $45,465 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $47,981. New graduates entering the Mandan job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mandan 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 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physical therapy Career in Mandan
In Mandan, employers like outpatient chains are prominent recruiters of newly licensed physical therapist assistants, providing essential starting opportunities for recent graduates. Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) continue to hire despite challenges such as reimbursement cuts, while home health agencies typically prefer candidates with some clinic experience. To elevate starting pay, completing an Associate's degree from a CAPTE-accredited program, passing the NPTAE national exam, and obtaining state licensure are crucial steps for new graduates. The landscape has shifted due to a 15% Medicare Part B reimbursement cut for PTA services enacted in 2022, making it vital for new PTAs to seek settings that are less reliant on Medicare funding or to enhance their qualifications through continuing education or specialty certifications. Realistic salary expectations over the first few years in this field suggest that with effective strategies, new PTAs can progressively advance their salaries, benefiting from the professional support of organizations such as APTA along the way.
More salary data for Mandan, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for physical therapist assistants in Mandan in 2026?
How fast do physical therapist assistant salaries grow in Mandan?
Is physical therapy school worth it in Mandan?
What do new physical therapist assistants make right out of school in Mandan?
How do I become a physical therapist assistant in North Dakota?
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physical therapy graduates. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Mandan. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mandan 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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov