Medical Assistant Pay

Duluth vs Winona: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Duluth, MN
$50,375
$24.22/hr
Winona, MN
$48,277
$23.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNWinona, MN
Median Salary$50,375$48,277
Hourly Rate$24.22$23.21
Entry Level (P10)$39,511$39,609
25th Percentile$41,831$41,157
75th Percentile$52,947$50,839
Top Earner (P90)$61,775$59,885
Total Employed7504
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($50,375) and Winona ($48,277) medical assistant salaries.DuluthWinonaMedian Salary$50,375$48,277Entry Level (P10)$39,511$39,609Top Earner (P90)$61,775$59,885US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Duluth and Winona is $2,098 (4.35%). 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,Winona spans $20,276. 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
Winona
P10 (Entry)$39,609
P25$41,157
Median$48,277
P75$50,839
P90 (Top)$59,885

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($56,749 effective) pays 15.79% more than Winona ($49,012 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $50,375
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $56,749
Winona
Nominal: $48,277
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $49,012

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 Winona 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 Winona over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+18.9%

$40,360 (2019) → $47,990 (2025)

Winona, MN

+2.6%

$44,807 (2024) → $45,991 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Duluth or Winona?

Duluth has a higher median medical assistant salary at $50,375/year, compared to Winona at $48,277/year — a difference of $2,098 (4.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Winona?

Duluth medical assistants earn $24.22/hr while Winona hygienists earn $23.21/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Winona. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $56,749, Winona = $49,012), job availability (750 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,511 in Duluth and $39,609 in Winona. The Winona 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