Physical Therapist Salary in North Dakota: $87,136 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $87,136/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $94,713 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: West Fargo ($92,910), Dickinson ($92,440), Williston ($90,210).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in North Dakota is projected to be $87,135, which is significantly lower than the national median of $105,288, representing a gap of 17.2%. This salary disparity is primarily influenced by the varying costs of living and healthcare demand in different cities. For instance, West Fargo offers the highest salary at $95,196, while Minot has the lowest at $80,103, showcasing a difference of $15,093. Factors driving these discrepancies include local healthcare infrastructure, the density of physical therapy practices, and regional patient populations. North Dakota has specific licensing requirements for physical therapists, which include obtaining a state license and completing continuing education. The state’s scope of practice laws permit a range of services, ensuring professionals can meet patient needs effectively. The demand for physical therapists is steadily increasing, supported by a projected annual growth rate of 2.46% in employment from 2025, indicating a strong job market outlook. The top cities for physical therapist salaries also include Dickinson at $94,714, Williston at $92,429, Grand Forks at $90,851, and Mandan at $90,532, reflecting the potential for income variation based on location within the state. This context is important for job seekers evaluating opportunities in North Dakota.
North Dakota Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $65,031 (lowest entry-level) to $126,038 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota physical therapists earn 17.24% less than the national median ($-18,152/year difference).
North Dakota Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in North Dakota range from $76,135 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $110,780 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $87,136. The North Dakota median is $18,152 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $41.89/hr. Approximately 717 physical therapists are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$78,139
2025 BLS Actual
$85,043
2026 Current Est.
$87,136
2019–2027 Growth
+14.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,139 | Actual |
| 2020 | $82,757 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,521 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,043 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,891 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,827 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,043 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,136 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 8.8% from $78,139 (2019) to $85,043 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,140 (14.26%) 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 2.46% 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 |
|---|---|
| Minot | $80,103 |
| Bismarck | $85,329 |
| Fargo | $87,429 |
| Mandan | $90,532 |
| Grand Forks | $90,851 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $90,851 | 86.663 | $104,833 |
| West Fargo | $95,196 | 92 | $103,474 |
| Dickinson | $94,714 | 92 | $102,950 |
| Williston | $92,429 | 92 | $100,466 |
| Mandan | $90,532 | 92 | $98,404 |
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) | $76,135 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $87,136 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $110,780 |
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 | West Fargo | $95,196 |
| 2 | Dickinson | $94,714 |
| 3 | Williston | $92,429 |
| 4 | Grand Forks | $90,851 |
| 5 | Mandan | $90,532 |
| 6 | Fargo | $87,429 |
| 7 | Bismarck | $85,329 |
| 8 | Minot | $80,103 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in North Dakota?
How many physical therapists are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for physical therapists?
Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex 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 2.46% 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 compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute 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 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov