Medical Assistant Pay

Brooklyn Center vs Rochester: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Brooklyn Center, MN and Rochester, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brooklyn Center, MN
$49,917
$24.00/hr
Rochester, MN
$52,307
$25.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrooklyn Center, MNRochester, MN
Median Salary$49,917$52,307
Hourly Rate$24.00$25.15
Entry Level (P10)$39,573$48,276
25th Percentile$41,533$49,514
75th Percentile$51,652$60,106
Top Earner (P90)$65,011$63,664
Total Employed7440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brooklyn Center ($49,917) and Rochester ($52,307) medical assistant salaries.Brooklyn CenterRochesterMedian Salary$49,917$52,307Entry Level (P10)$39,573$48,276Top Earner (P90)$65,011$63,664US Median $47,961

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brooklyn Center.

The salary gap between Brooklyn Center and Rochester is $2,390 (4.79%). Rochester's median is +9.06% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brooklyn Center spans $25,438,Rochester spans $15,388. Brooklyn Center has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brooklyn Center
P10 (Entry)$39,573
P25$41,533
Median$49,917
P75$51,652
P90 (Top)$65,011
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$48,276
P25$49,514
Median$52,307
P75$60,106
P90 (Top)$63,664

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($57,594 effective) pays 13.65% more than Brooklyn Center ($50,677 effective).

Brooklyn Center
Nominal: $49,917
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $50,677
Rochester
Nominal: $52,307
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $57,594

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brooklyn Center if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,011)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,307/year)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,594)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Brooklyn Center grew 2.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Brooklyn Center, MN

+2.6%

$46,329 (2024) → $47,554 (2025)

Rochester, MN

+13.0%

$44,090 (2019) → $49,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Brooklyn Center or Rochester?

Rochester has a higher median medical assistant salary at $52,307/year, compared to Brooklyn Center at $49,917/year — a difference of $2,390 (4.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brooklyn Center and Rochester?

Brooklyn Center medical assistants earn $24.00/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $25.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brooklyn Center to Rochester as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brooklyn Center and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brooklyn Center = $50,677, Rochester = $57,594), job availability (7 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Brooklyn Center vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,573 in Brooklyn Center and $48,276 in Rochester. The Rochester 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