Medical Assistant Pay

Duluth vs Woodbury: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Duluth, MN
$50,375
$24.22/hr
Woodbury, MN
$51,613
$24.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNWoodbury, MN
Median Salary$50,375$51,613
Hourly Rate$24.22$24.81
Entry Level (P10)$39,511$40,779
25th Percentile$41,831$43,112
75th Percentile$52,947$55,042
Top Earner (P90)$61,775$65,499
Total Employed75018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($50,375) and Woodbury ($51,613) medical assistant salaries.DuluthWoodburyMedian Salary$50,375$51,613Entry Level (P10)$39,511$40,779Top Earner (P90)$61,775$65,499US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Duluth and Woodbury is $1,238 (2.46%). Woodbury's median is +7.61% 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,Woodbury spans $24,720. Woodbury has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$39,511
P25$41,831
Median$50,375
P75$52,947
P90 (Top)$61,775
Woodbury
P10 (Entry)$40,779
P25$43,112
Median$51,613
P75$55,042
P90 (Top)$65,499

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($56,749 effective) pays 8.30% more than Woodbury ($52,399 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $50,375
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $56,749
Woodbury
Nominal: $51,613
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $52,399

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,749)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Woodbury if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,613/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,499)
  • 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 Woodbury over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+18.9%

$40,360 (2019) → $47,990 (2025)

Woodbury, MN

+2.6%

$47,902 (2024) → $49,169 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Duluth or Woodbury?

Woodbury has a higher median medical assistant salary at $51,613/year, compared to Duluth at $50,375/year — a difference of $1,238 (2.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Woodbury?

Duluth medical assistants earn $24.22/hr while Woodbury hygienists earn $24.81/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Woodbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $56,749, Woodbury = $52,399), job availability (750 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,511 in Duluth and $40,779 in Woodbury. The Woodbury area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

EC

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