Physical Therapist Salary in Bismarck, ND: $85,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Bismarck, ND earns a median $85,329/year (≈ $41.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $93,743 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bismarck, North Dakota, physical therapist salaries reflect the dynamics of the local healthcare market. The 2026 median annual salary is projected at $85,329, which shows a notable gap compared to the national median of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in the region varies from $76,835 at the 10th percentile to $107,962 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights that physical therapist pay in Bismarck is about 18.96% lower than national averages, suggesting that many practitioners may seek roles in specific sectors like inpatient rehab or skilled nursing facilities to maximize earnings. The local job landscape encompasses around 200 physical therapists, a significant factor for emerging professionals considering opportunities in Bismarck.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,835 | $36.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,282 | $39.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,329 | $41.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,528 | $51.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,962 | $51.91 |
Median Salary Position
18.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,127 (2026 est.). At $85,329, the local median is 18.96% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $85,329/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $96,854 | -11.90% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -18.96% less |
Physical Therapists in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $85,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.96% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 11.90% below the North Dakota state average of $96,854.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $85,329 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,743 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,540
2025 BLS Actual
$83,280
2026 Current Est.
$85,329
2019–2027 Growth
+11.3%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,540 | Actual |
| 2020 | $86,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 6.0% from $78,540 (2019) to $83,280 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,888 (11.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $76,835 – $81,282 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,282 – $85,329 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,329 – $106,528 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,528 – $107,962 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Bismarck
To optimize earnings, physical therapists should understand the local job market's nuances. The cost-of-living index for Bismarck, set at 91.024, suggests that while salaries may seem lower when compared nationally, the effective purchasing power can be more favorable than it appears. Outpatient clinics, especially larger chains like ATI and Athletico, often pay less than hospitals but may offer productivity bonuses that could increase overall compensation. Factors determining salary variability include board certifications like OCS or SCS, clinic ownership, and whether the practice model is cash-based or insurance-dependent. Building a specialization in high-demand areas can enhance earnings potential, and there's a growing interest in fee-for-service models in Bismarck that can yield higher take-home pay.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Bismarck, ND in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Bismarck?
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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 $83,280 for physical therapistsin the Bismarck 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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