Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in North Dakota: $63,960 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist assistant pay sits at $63,960/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-2021. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,522 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fargo ($64,524), Grand Forks ($62,752), Bismarck ($61,507).
In North Dakota, the average median salary for physical therapist assistants is projected to be $63,961 in 2026, which is 8.9% lower than the national median of $70,247. Fargo emerges as the highest-paying city with a salary of $66,286, while Mandan offers the lowest at $59,912, reflecting a salary gap of $6,374. This difference can be attributed to varying demand for healthcare services, population density, and local cost of living in these urban areas. State-specific factors such as licensing requirements and scope of practice laws play a crucial role in shaping the job market for physical therapist assistants. North Dakota mandates that practitioners earn an associate's degree from an accredited program and obtain a license to practice, which ensures a standardized level of care. The job market is expected to maintain a growth rate of 2.73% annually, driven by an increasing aging population and a growing awareness of rehabilitation services. With a total of 95 physical therapist assistants employed across the state, cities like Grand Forks, Bismarck, West Fargo, and Minot also show solid projected salaries of $64,465, $63,186, $62,999, and $62,954, respectively. These figures indicate a stable outlook for those entering the field, reflecting ongoing demand for therapeutic services.
North Dakota Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $43,540 (lowest entry-level) to $86,768 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota physical therapist assistants earn 8.95% less than the national median ($-6,287/year difference).
North Dakota Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist Assistant salaries in North Dakota range from $44,447 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,162 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,960. The North Dakota median is $6,287 below the US national median of $70,247. The average hourly rate is $30.75/hr. Approximately 95 physical therapist assistants are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,240
2025 BLS Actual
$62,261
2026 Current Est.
$63,960
2019–2027 Growth
+36.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,591 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,261 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,960 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,706 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 29.1% from $48,240 (2019) to $62,261 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,706 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,466 (36.21%) 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 2.73% 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 |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $59,912 |
| Williston | $61,169 |
| Dickinson | $62,681 |
| Minot | $62,954 |
| West Fargo | $62,999 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapist Assistants in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapist assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $66,286 | 92 | $72,050 |
| Grand Forks | $64,465 | 92 | $70,071 |
| Bismarck | $63,186 | 92 | $68,680 |
| West Fargo | $62,999 | 92 | $68,477 |
| Minot | $62,954 | 92 | $68,428 |
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) | $44,447 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,960 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,162 |
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 | Fargo | $66,286 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $64,465 |
| 3 | Bismarck | $63,186 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $62,999 |
| 5 | Minot | $62,954 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $62,681 |
| 7 | Williston | $61,169 |
| 8 | Mandan | $59,912 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist assistant hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapist assistants.
Explore More Physical Therapist Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapist assistants make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapist assistants in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota physical therapist assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist assistant salary in North Dakota?
How many physical therapist assistants are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for physical therapist assistants?
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
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 2.73% 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 physical therapist assistant compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapist assistantscontribute 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 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