Medical Assistant Pay

Duluth vs Fridley: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Duluth, MN
$50,375
$24.22/hr
Fridley, MN
$48,317
$23.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNFridley, MN
Median Salary$50,375$48,317
Hourly Rate$24.22$23.23
Entry Level (P10)$39,511$39,502
25th Percentile$41,831$41,237
75th Percentile$52,947$51,969
Top Earner (P90)$61,775$61,719
Total Employed7505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($50,375) and Fridley ($48,317) medical assistant salaries.DuluthFridleyMedian Salary$50,375$48,317Entry Level (P10)$39,511$39,502Top Earner (P90)$61,775$61,719US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Duluth and Fridley is $2,058 (4.26%). 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 Duluth spans $22,264,Fridley spans $22,217. Duluth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$39,511
P25$41,831
Median$50,375
P75$52,947
P90 (Top)$61,775
Fridley
P10 (Entry)$39,502
P25$41,237
Median$48,317
P75$51,969
P90 (Top)$61,719

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($56,749 effective) pays 15.69% more than Fridley ($49,053 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $50,375
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $56,749
Fridley
Nominal: $48,317
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $49,053

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,375/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,775)
  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,749)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Fridley if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Duluth grew 18.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.6% growth in Fridley over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+18.9%

$40,360 (2019) → $47,990 (2025)

Fridley, MN

+2.6%

$44,843 (2024) → $46,029 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Duluth or Fridley?

Duluth has a higher median medical assistant salary at $50,375/year, compared to Fridley at $48,317/year — a difference of $2,058 (4.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Fridley?

Duluth medical assistants earn $24.22/hr while Fridley hygienists earn $23.23/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Fridley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $56,749, Fridley = $49,053), job availability (750 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,511 in Duluth and $39,502 in Fridley. The Duluth 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