Physical Therapist Assistant Salary in Dickinson, ND: $62,681 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist assistant in Dickinson, ND earns a median $62,681/year (≈ $30.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Once you factor in Dickinson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $68,132 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a physical therapist assistant in Dickinson, ND, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,681. This figure places local earnings approximately 10.77% below the national median of $70,247. The salary range for this occupation extends from $43,540 at the 10th percentile to $82,035 at the 90th percentile, reflecting variances in experience, setting, and job responsibilities. These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight an important consideration for those contemplating a career as a physical therapist assistant: the potential financial benefits of advancing to a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Such a transition can significantly enhance lifetime earnings and job opportunities in a competitive healthcare environment.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,540 | $20.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,078 | $26.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,681 | $30.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,234 | $33.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,035 | $39.44 |
Median Salary Position
10.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dickinson
In Dickinson, ND, the physical therapist assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,495 (2026 est.). At $62,681, the local median is 10.77% below the national median of $70,247.
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At 40 hours/week in Dickinson: You'd be above the median
How Dickinson Physical Therapist Assistant Pay Compares
Dickinson median: $62,681/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dickinson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $64,091 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $70,247 | -10.77% less |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Dickinson, ND earn a median of $62,681 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.77% lower than the national median of $70,247 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $64,091.
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 assistant earning $62,681 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,132 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,458
2025 BLS Actual
$61,015
2026 Current Est.
$62,681
2019–2027 Growth
+22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,458 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,332 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,178 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,774 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,015 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,681 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,392 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dickinson metropolitan area, the median physical therapist assistant salary grew 16.3% from $52,458 (2019) to $61,015 (2025). At a 2.73% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,934 (22.75%) 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 2.73% 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) | $43,540 – $54,078 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,078 – $62,681 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,681 – $69,234 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,234 – $82,035 |
PTA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Assistant Job Market in Dickinson
Currently, there are only four physical therapist assistants employed in Dickinson, indicating both a tight job market and limited local opportunities. With a cost of living index of 92, residents enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle that can positively affect take-home pay, making the local salaries more attractive in context. Among the highest-paying employers in the area are outpatient orthopedic clinics and hospital inpatient rehab facilities, where salaries tend to reflect higher productivity expectations and task complexity. The variation between wages primarily comes from differences in work settings; for instance, skilled nursing facilities may have lower pay due to recent cuts impacting Medicare reimbursement rates. To maximize earnings in Dickinson, professionals should consider seeking out positions in higher-paying environments, remaining flexible in work hours to tap into weekend or PRN opportunities, and possibly pursuing further education to enhance their qualifications and marketability in a challenging landscape.
More salary data for Dickinson, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan 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 $61,015 for physical therapist assistantsin the Dickinson metropolitan area. A 2.73% 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 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov