Physical Therapists in North Dakota. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Physical Therapists in North Dakota earned a median annual wage of $86,180 in 2024, about 16% below the US median of $102,556. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
North Dakota's cost of living runs roughly 8% below the national average. After accounting for what the money actually buys, the in-state median closes to around $93,800 in national-baseline dollars. The gap with the US figure shrinks from $16,400 to something closer to $8,700. Still a discount, but a smaller one than the headline suggests.
The wage spread here is relatively tight. The 10th percentile starts at $72,750 and the 90th reaches $109,620, a difference of about $36,900. By comparison, states with large hospital systems and academic medical centers tend to show wider ranges. In North Dakota, wages cluster more tightly around the middle, which suggests less variation by setting or specialty than you see in larger state markets. The average of $89,870 sits only modestly above the median, consistent with that pattern.
BLS projects employment for Physical Therapists to grow 10.9% nationally between 2024 and 2034, a rate classified as faster than average. North Dakota's total employment in this occupation is around 860, a small base that can make percentage changes look dramatic in either direction. The state's rural geography and aging population tend to sustain steady demand for rehabilitation services, though the data here reflects 2024 conditions and future hiring will depend on factors the projection cannot fully anticipate.
Salary distribution
Where North Dakota physical therapists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $79,080 and $103,120, with a median of $85,330.
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Physical Therapists pay by experience level in North Dakota
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Dakota over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Plan, prepare, or carry out individually designed programs of physical treatment to maintain, improve, or restore physical functioning, alleviate pain, or prevent physical dysfunction in patients.
- 02
Perform and document an initial exam, evaluating data to identify problems and determine a diagnosis prior to intervention.
- 03
Record prognosis, treatment, response, and progress in patient's chart or enter information into computer.
- 04
Instruct patient and family in treatment procedures to be continued at home.
- 05
Evaluate effects of treatment at various stages and adjust treatments to achieve maximum benefit.
- 06
Confer with the patient, medical practitioners, or appropriate others to plan, implement, or assess the intervention program.
- 07
Administer manual exercises, massage, or traction to help relieve pain, increase patient strength, or decrease or prevent deformity or crippling.
- 08
Obtain patients' informed consent to proposed interventions.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+10.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Physical Therapists in North Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Physical Therapists in North Dakota is $85,330.
- How does North Dakota compare to the national median for Physical Therapists?
- The North Dakota median is -18.3% versus the BLS national figure of $104,506.
- What is the salary range for Physical Therapists in North Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $75,290 and the 90th-percentile at $113,600, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Physical Therapists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 10.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Physical Therapists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.