Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Mandan, ND: $63,914 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Mandan, ND earns a median $63,914/year (≈ $30.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Mandan's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $69,472 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Occupational therapy assistants in Mandan, North Dakota, can expect a median annual salary of $63,914 in 2026. This figure reflects estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living. The salary range for this profession spans from $50,769 at the 10th percentile to $75,369 at the 90th percentile. The differences in pay can be attributed to the structuring of healthcare settings in the area—skilled nursing facilities and hospitals generally offer higher compensation compared to school districts, particularly following the recent 15% Medicare reimbursement cut that has impacted service delivery. The dynamics of these settings will be pivotal for prospective occupational therapy assistants as they consider job opportunities.
About the Mandan Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,769 | $24.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,036 | $26.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,914 | $30.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,783 | $33.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,369 | $36.23 |
Median Salary Position
14.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mandan
In Mandan, ND, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,600 (2026 est.). At $63,914, the local median is 14.02% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Mandan: You'd be above the median
How Mandan Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Mandan median: $63,914/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mandan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $68,357 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -14.02% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mandan, ND earn a median of $63,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.02% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 6.50% below the North Dakota state average of $68,357.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mandan 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.
Mandan, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $63,914 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,472 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,889
2025 BLS Actual
$62,167
2026 Current Est.
$63,914
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Mandan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,889 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,119 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,078 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,245 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,618 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,311 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,167 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,914 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,710 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mandan metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $52,889 (2019) to $62,167 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,710 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,821 (24.24%) from 2019.
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 2.81% 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) | $50,769 – $56,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,036 – $63,914 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,914 – $68,783 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,783 – $75,369 |
OTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual occupational therapy assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Job Market in Mandan
A modest local employment pool consists of just 6 occupational therapy assistants, indicating a relatively niche job market in Mandan. With a cost-of-living index at 92, earnings may stretch further in this region than they would in higher-cost areas. Those seeking roles in hospital inpatient rehabilitation services are likely to command higher wages than their peers in schools or skilled nursing facilities. Factors influencing the pay spread include productivity expectations and the distinction between part-time contracts in schools versus year-round roles in healthcare settings. To maximize their income, occupational therapy assistants should consider diversifying their skill sets, exploring employment opportunities in hospitals, and being open to weekend and PRN work—these adjustments can prove advantageous in a shifting pay landscape in Mandan.
More salary data for Mandan, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as an occupational therapist. Their specialty is working with children with developmental disorders. They have worked in various healthcare settings including schools and rehabilitation facilities.
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 $62,167 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Mandan metropolitan area. A 2.81% 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 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 2.81%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for occupational therapy assistants (SOC 31-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, OTR/L, a licensed occupational therapy assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov