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Physical Therapist Aides Salary in North Dakota: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Physical Therapist Aides salary really buy you in North Dakota?

North Dakota is 11.3% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$37,680
Median annual (2025)
+12.7%
Real Purchasing Power
$42,480
COL-adjusted (RPP=88.7)

North Dakota Cost of Living Index

North Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.7, meaning prices are 11.3% lower the national average. A Physical Therapist Aides earning $37,680 in North Dakota has the equivalent purchasing power of $42,480 in an average-cost US state.

ND: 88.7
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for North Dakota's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $29,900 $33,709 +$3,809
25th Percentile (P25) $32,900 $37,091 +$4,191
Median (P50) $37,680 $42,480 +$4,800
75th Percentile (P75) $46,860 $52,829 +$5,969
90th Percentile (P90) $56,430 $63,618 +$7,188
Key Insight

A Physical Therapist Aides in North Dakota earns $37,680 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 13% further — like earning $42,480 in an average-cost state. This makes North Dakota one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

North Dakota Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 88.7

North Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 88.7 means a basket of goods and services costs about 11.3% less than the national average. For a Physical Therapist Aides, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+12.7%

Adjusting $37,680 for North Dakota's cost of living yields $42,480 — a 12.7% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in North Dakota

#4 / 50

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Physical Therapist Aides, North Dakota places #4 of 50 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Physical Therapist Aides (After Cost of Living)

Where does Physical Therapist Aides salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$54,666
RPP 102.0
$43,326
RPP 97.7
3. Montana
$43,133
RPP 90.3
$42,480
RPP 88.7
$41,026
RPP 102.3
6. Ohio
$40,677
RPP 91.5
$39,891
RPP 92.3
$39,697
RPP 89.4
9. Maine
$39,345
RPP 100.8
$39,058
RPP 89.2

North Dakota ranks #4 out of 50 states for Physical Therapist Aides after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Physical Therapist Aides take-home pay in North Dakota after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Physical Therapist Aides in North Dakota after cost of living?

A Physical Therapist Aides in North Dakota earns a median salary of $37,680 per year. After adjusting for North Dakota's cost of living (RPP=88.7), the real purchasing power is $42,480 — a +12.7% difference.

Is North Dakota expensive to live in?

North Dakota's cost of living is 11.3% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for North Dakota is 88.7 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Physical Therapist Aides in North Dakota: $37,680 x (100 / 88.7) = $42,480. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Physical Therapist Aides in North Dakota financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Physical Therapist Aides in North Dakota enjoys 12.7% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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