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Occupational Therapy Salary in North Dakota: Is It a Good Career?

North Dakota · 2026 BLS salary data

Occupational Therapy pay in North Dakota

The median wage is $83,200/yr — 17% below the national median. Among U.S. states, North Dakotais one of the lowest-paying states (#51 of 51).

The numbers in North Dakota

Real BLS state-level figures for Occupational Therapy.

Median salary
$83,200/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$77,210 – $99,280
National median
$100,330/yr
Employed in North Dakota
570

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in North Dakota

Salary alone can mislead — North Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
89
Nominal median
$83,200
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $93,483
State income tax
Up to 2.5%

Because North Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #46 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #51 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do occupational therapy professionals make in North Dakota?

The median annual wage is $83,200 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $77,210 and $99,280. That's 17% below the national median.

Is North Dakota a good state for occupational therapy?

By raw pay, North Dakota is one of the lowest-paying states (#51 of 51). Adjusted for cost of living (North Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $93,483. Because North Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #46 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #51 on raw salary.

Are occupational therapy professionals in demand in North Dakota?

About 570 people work in this field in North Dakota (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +13.8% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Occupational Therapy nationally — North Dakota pay is 17% below the national median. See the full Occupational Therapy career guide →

The verdict

Yes — occupational therapy combines strong pay, much-faster-than-average growth, and highly meaningful work. The main hurdle is the required master's or doctorate and the debt that comes with it.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Strong, above-median pay
  • Much-faster-than-average projected growth
  • Deeply meaningful, hands-on rehabilitation work
  • Varied settings and populations
  • Good work-life balance relative to many health roles

Cons

  • Requires a master's or doctorate (OTD)
  • Significant graduate debt
  • Physically active, sometimes demanding
  • Productivity pressure in some clinics

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People wanting meaningful, hands-on health care
  • Those who can invest in a graduate degree
  • Anyone valuing autonomy and patient relationships

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to pursue graduate study
  • Those seeking a fast, cheap entry

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Occupational Therapy is worth it — titles link to the original threads.