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Occupational Therapy Assistant in North Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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North Dakota employs 130 occupational therapy assistants, with a statewide median of $60,970 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact North Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Occupational therapy assistants Earn in North Dakota (May 2025)

North Dakota median pay: $60,970 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $48,760
Experienced (75th percentile): $63,170
Top earners (90th percentile): $65,540
Employed in North Dakota: 130
U.S. median (for comparison): $68,340 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for occupational therapy assistants in major North Dakota markets:

Fargo: $63,660 (30 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in North Dakota

Prices in North Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 89.0 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,970 median stretches to roughly $68,506 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in North Dakota (2024–2034)

North Dakota is projected to grow occupational therapy assistants employment +14.3%, slower than the +19.3% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

North Dakota License and Certification Requirements

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) — regulated by the North Dakota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.
Pass the NBCOT certification exam to become a COTA.
Apply to the North Dakota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice.

Official requirements: North Dakota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice →

Training in North Dakota

Strong demand in rehab, pediatrics, and senior care. Confirm ACOTE accreditation and fieldwork placements.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in North Dakota include:

Dakota College at Bottineau — Associate
North Dakota State College of Science — Associate
Rasmussen University-North Dakota — Associate
Turtle Mountain College — Associate

Where Occupational therapy assistants Work in North Dakota

Real North Dakota outpatient rehab clinics that employ occupational therapy assistants include:

Rehabvisions — Dickinson
Valley Senior Living on Columbia — Grand Forks
Missouri Slope — Bismarck
Bethany on University — Fargo
Smp Health - St Raphael — Valley City
Trinity Homes — Minot

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Patient, practical people who enjoy helping others rebuild daily-life skills.

Think twice if: You want independent desk work or dislike clinical documentation.

Why it's resilient: Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

First Steps

Find ACOTE-accredited OTA programs and review fieldwork requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do occupational therapy assistants make in North Dakota?

The median wage for occupational therapy assistants in North Dakota is $60,970 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $48,760, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $65,540. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in North Dakota?

Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), overseen by the North Dakota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Earn an ACOTE-accredited OTA associate degree.

Is being an Occupational Therapy Assistant a good career in North Dakota?

Occupational therapy support blends hands-on care, adaptation, human context, and patient motivation.

Which North Dakota metros pay occupational therapy assistants the most?

Among North Dakota metro areas, Fargo leads at $63,660. Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant in North Dakota?

Real North Dakota options include Dakota College at Bottineau, North Dakota State College of Science, Rasmussen University-North Dakota. Most occupational therapy assistants start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Occupational Therapy Assistant a growing career in North Dakota?

North Dakota projects occupational therapy assistants employment to change +14.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), North Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 31-2011. Licensing summary compiled from the North Dakota Board of Occupational Therapy Practice (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET North Dakota wages · North Dakota licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.