Physical Therapist Salary in Dickinson, ND: $94,714 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Dickinson, ND earns a median $94,714/year (≈ $45.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Dickinson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $102,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Dickinson, North Dakota, average around $94,714 annually, reflecting local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. The salary landscape presents a range from $70,905 at the bottom (P10) to $124,519 at the top (P90), highlighting a competitive market influenced by the growing cash-pay trend in sports and orthopedic rehab. As the demand for specialized services rises, so too does the potential for higher compensation, particularly for therapists who incorporate advanced treatment modalities and attract clientele willing to pay out-of-pocket. This shift toward cash-pay practices creates opportunities for those with specialized certifications, such as those provided by the APTA.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,905 | $34.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,218 | $37.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,714 | $45.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,267 | $51.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,519 | $59.87 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dickinson
In Dickinson, ND, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,614 (2026 est.). At $94,714, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dickinson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dickinson Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Dickinson median: $94,714/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dickinson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $96,845 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -10.04% less |
Physical Therapists in Dickinson, ND earn a median of $94,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $96,845.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dickinson 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.
Dickinson, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $94,714 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,950 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$80,458
2025 BLS Actual
$92,440
2026 Current Est.
$94,714
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $80,458 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $86,017 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,906 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,696 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,714 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,044 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dickinson metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $80,458 (2019) to $92,440 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,044 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,586 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dickinson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $70,905 – $78,218 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,218 – $94,714 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,714 – $107,267 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,267 – $124,519 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Dickinson
Despite the current median salary, the localized job market presents unique characteristics to consider. With only four physical therapists employed in the area, the competition remains limited, allowing new entrants to potentially command favorable pay based on their skills and specialization. Coupled with a cost of living index of 92, which falls below the national average, the earning potential aligns favorably with local expenses, enhancing disposable income. Outpatient orthopedic clinics and sports medicine practices often offer the most lucrative roles in Dickinson, particularly for those with expertise in high-demand areas like pediatric therapy or other specialized rehabilitative services. Maximizing earnings in this environment might involve pursuing board certifications such as OCS or SCS, as employers are increasingly looking for professionals with credentials that substantiate higher productivity metrics and enhance service offerings in a tight-knit community.
More salary data for Dickinson, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $92,440 for physical therapistsin the Dickinson metropolitan area. A 2.46% 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 Dickinson 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 2.46%, 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