Occupational Therapy Assistant Salary in Williston, ND: $65,254 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time occupational therapy assistant in Williston, ND earns a median $65,254/year (≈ $31.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2011). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $70,928 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Williston, North Dakota, the projected median annual salary for an occupational therapy assistant is $65,254, reflecting a challenging post-Medicare landscape that has reshaped the pay scales across various healthcare settings. The salary range for professionals in this role spans from $49,093 at the 10th percentile to $78,068 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on experience, specialization, and workplace environment. These estimates are drawn from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living nuances, which in Williston is reflected in a lower-than-average cost of living index of 92. This is especially pertinent when considering the differences in pay found between settings such as skilled nursing facilities, schools, and hospitals, particularly as Medicare cuts continue to impact available funding.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,093 | $23.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,929 | $27.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,254 | $31.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,523 | $33.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,068 | $37.54 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the occupational therapy assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,975 (2026 est.). At $65,254, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $74,332.
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At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be above the median
How Williston Occupational Therapy Assistant Pay Compares
Williston median: $65,254/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $68,400 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $74,332 | -12.21% less |
Occupational Therapy Assistants in Williston, ND earn a median of $65,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $74,332 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $68,400.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston 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.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A occupational therapy assistant earning $65,254 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,928 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,998
2025 BLS Actual
$63,470
2026 Current Est.
$65,254
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Occupational Therapy Assistants in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.81% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,998 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,253 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,191 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,403 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,826 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,254 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,087 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median occupational therapy assistant salary grew 17.5% from $53,998 (2019) to $63,470 (2025). At a 2.81% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,089 (24.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $49,093 – $56,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,929 – $65,254 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,254 – $70,523 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,523 – $78,068 |
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 Williston
Analyzing the local job market for occupational therapy assistants reveals that while only seven professionals are currently employed in Williston, the potential for career growth remains promising with an annual growth rate of 2.81%. The cost of living in the area, being somewhat below national averages, can provide a favorable context for take-home pay, even if the occupational therapy assistant salary in Williston positions itself about 12.21% below the national median. Among local employers, hospital inpatient rehabilitation settings typically offer the highest pay compared to outpatient clinics and school contracts, driven largely by the increased productivity demands and the financial impacts of the Medicare reimbursement cuts implemented in 2022. To maximize pay in this specific market, COTAs might consider pursuing roles in hospital settings or seeking additional certifications that extend their competencies, thereby enhancing their value and potential earnings in the workforce.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can occupational therapy assistants make $100K in Williston?
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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 $63,470 for occupational therapy assistantsin the Williston 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 Williston 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