Occupational Therapist Salary in Fargo, ND — 2026
Occupational Therapist salary data for Fargo, ND — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The median Occupational Therapist salary in Fargo, ND is $80,910 per year ($6,743/month, $39/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 93, which is 7% below the national average.
Occupational Therapist Take-Home Pay in Fargo
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $80,910 |
| Federal Tax | -$8,970 |
| State Tax (1.9%) | -$1,578 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$6,190 |
| Annual Take-Home | $64,172 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $5,348 |
Living Cost Comparison
Occupational Therapist Requirements
Key Skills
Fargo Job Market Overview
Fargo, North Dakota has a population of 125,990 and an unemployment rate of 1.8%. The top industries are Healthcare, Technology, Education. The local job growth rate is 2.0%, and the average commute time is 17 minutes.
Related Healthcare Salaries in Fargo
Salary Percentile Breakdown — Occupational Therapist in Fargo
Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Occupational Therapist in Fargo, ND, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $64,170 | $31/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $72,540 | $35/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $80,910 | $39/hr | Mid-career, 0-2 years |
| 75th | $102,300 | $49/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $115,320 | $55/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Occupational Therapist compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Fargo's Healthcare sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Occupational Therapist salaries in Fargo have grown approximately 13.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:
Year-over-year, an average Occupational Therapist can expect a 12.4% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 4 years in Fargo. Negotiation, certifications (NBCOT Certification, State Licensure), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Fargo vs National Average
The national median Occupational Therapist salary is $87,000. In Fargo, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $80,910 is 7.0% below the national figure. This reflects Fargo's cost of living index of 93 (lower than the national average of 100).
For Occupational Therapists, this means: rent typically consumes 18.7% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Fargo costs about 4.1× annual take-home. Homeownership is relatively attainable on this salary in Fargo.
Industry Context: Healthcare in Fargo
Fargo's economy is anchored by Healthcare, Technology, Education, with 125,990 residents and 1.8% unemployment as of 2026. Occupational Therapists working in the Healthcare sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 2.0%, and Occupational Therapist occupations specifically are projected to grow 14.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Occupational Therapist salaries in Fargo, ND:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Fargo index of 93 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), ND state income tax of 1.9%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine — occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation and cost-of-living data
- U.S. Census Bureau — Fargo QuickFacts — population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Fargo unemployment rate
Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Occupational Therapist salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Healthcare vs others in Fargo), specific skill set (Activity Analysis, Adaptive Equipment, Cognitive Rehabilitation), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in Fargo, ND?
How much does a Occupational Therapist take home in Fargo after taxes?
Is Fargo a good city for Occupational Therapists?
What skills are needed for a Occupational Therapist in Fargo?
How does Occupational Therapist salary in Fargo compare to the national average?
Calculate Your Exact Take-Home Pay
Use our free paycheck calculator to see your after-tax income based on your specific salary, deductions, and filing status.
Calculate NowExplore More
Across Our Network
- Levyio: Federal Tax Bracket Calculator — see take-home on this salary
- DegreeCalc: College Majors ROI Ranking — what degrees lead to this salary path
- Amortio: Home Affordability — what home you can buy on this income
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Occupational Therapist salary in Fargo, ND?
The median Occupational Therapist salary in Fargo, ND is $80,910 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 93. Entry-level Occupational Therapists earn around $64,170, while senior-level professionals can earn $102,300 or more.
How much does a Occupational Therapist take home in Fargo after taxes?
A Occupational Therapist earning the median salary of $80,910 in Fargo, ND takes home approximately $64,172 per year ($5,348/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 20.7%.
Is Fargo a good city for Occupational Therapists?
Fargo, ND has a cost of living index of 93 (below national average). Occupational Therapists here earn above the city median. The local unemployment rate is 1.8% and top industries include Healthcare, Technology, Education.
What skills are needed for a Occupational Therapist in Fargo?
Key skills for Occupational Therapists include Activity Analysis, Adaptive Equipment, Cognitive Rehabilitation, Sensory Integration, Documentation. Typical education requirement is Master's Degree. Valuable certifications include NBCOT Certification, State Licensure.
How does Occupational Therapist salary in Fargo compare to the national average?
The national median Occupational Therapist salary is $87,000. In Fargo, the adjusted salary is $80,910, which is 7.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.