Physical Therapist Salary in Williston, ND: $92,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Williston, ND earns a median $92,429/year (≈ $44.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $100,466 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physical therapists in Williston, North Dakota, are projected to earn a median salary of $92,429 in 2026, a figure that reflects the local employment landscape adjusted by regional cost factors. The salary range spans from $73,208 at the lower end (P10) to $117,154 at the upper end (P90), providing insight into the varying compensation based on experience, setting, and practice model. Physical therapist pay in Williston ND may differ significantly due to the choice between outpatient chains, hospital systems, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), each offering distinct compensation structures and benefits. As the job market evolves, understanding these dynamics can help prospective physical therapists identify the best opportunities for their career growth.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,208 | $35.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,223 | $38.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,429 | $44.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,555 | $51.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,154 | $56.32 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,946 (2026 est.). At $92,429, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Williston median: $92,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $96,886 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -12.21% less |
Physical Therapists in Williston, ND earn a median of $92,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $96,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston 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.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $92,429 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,466 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,517
2025 BLS Actual
$90,210
2026 Current Est.
$92,429
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,517 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,895 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,942 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,786 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,532 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,253 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,703 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $78,517 (2019) to $90,210 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,703 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,186 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $73,208 – $79,223 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,223 – $92,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,429 – $107,555 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,555 – $117,154 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Williston
In terms of job availability, there are currently seven physical therapists employed in the Williston area, which indicates a small but stable market. The cost-of-living index in Williston is set at 92, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, thus enhancing the purchasing power of a physical therapist’s salary. Among employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics might offer competitive pay, but hospital systems tend to provide higher salaries alongside benefits. Factors influencing the salary range include productivity expectations—often measured by units billed—and potential bonuses for specialized credentials like OCS or SCS. Those working in cash-pay models may also find higher compensation compared to insurance-based practices, driven by the increased reimbursement rates. For those aiming to maximize their income, focusing on acquiring board certifications and seeking roles in higher-paying settings will likely yield the best financial outcomes in this region.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Williston, ND in 2026?
Is Williston, ND a good place to work as a physical therapist?
Can physical therapists make $100K in Williston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Williston?
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Related Pages
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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 $90,210 for physical therapistsin the Williston 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
Salary data for Williston 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 2.46%, 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