Medical Assistant Pay

Blaine vs Duluth: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Blaine, MN and Duluth, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Blaine, MN
$49,466
$23.79/hr
Duluth, MN
$50,375
$24.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBlaine, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$49,466$50,375
Hourly Rate$23.79$24.22
Entry Level (P10)$39,672$39,511
25th Percentile$41,761$41,831
75th Percentile$53,119$52,947
Top Earner (P90)$63,638$61,775
Total Employed18750
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Blaine ($49,466) and Duluth ($50,375) medical assistant salaries.BlaineDuluthMedian Salary$49,466$50,375Entry Level (P10)$39,672$39,511Top Earner (P90)$63,638$61,775US Median $47,961

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Blaine.

The salary gap between Blaine and Duluth is $909 (1.84%). Duluth's median is +5.03% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Blaine spans $23,966,Duluth spans $22,264. Blaine has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Blaine
P10 (Entry)$39,672
P25$41,761
Median$49,466
P75$53,119
P90 (Top)$63,638
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$39,511
P25$41,831
Median$50,375
P75$52,947
P90 (Top)$61,775

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($56,749 effective) pays 13.00% more than Blaine ($50,219 effective).

Blaine
Nominal: $49,466
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $50,219
Duluth
Nominal: $50,375
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $56,749

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Blaine if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,638)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,375/year)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,749)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Blaine grew 2.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.9% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Blaine, MN

+2.6%

$45,910 (2024) → $47,124 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+18.9%

$40,360 (2019) → $47,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Blaine or Duluth?

Duluth has a higher median medical assistant salary at $50,375/year, compared to Blaine at $49,466/year — a difference of $909 (1.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Blaine and Duluth?

Blaine medical assistants earn $23.79/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $24.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Blaine to Duluth as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Blaine and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Blaine = $50,219, Duluth = $56,749), job availability (18 vs 750 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Blaine vs Duluth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,672 in Blaine and $39,511 in Duluth. The Blaine area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Emma Chen, CMA

Career Analyst

Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov