Medical Assistant Pay

Rochester vs Savage: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

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

Rochester, MN
$52,307
$25.15/hr
Savage, MN
$49,254
$23.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, MNSavage, MN
Median Salary$52,307$49,254
Hourly Rate$25.15$23.68
Entry Level (P10)$48,276$42,017
25th Percentile$49,514$43,175
75th Percentile$60,106$53,018
Top Earner (P90)$63,664$62,985
Total Employed4409
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($52,307) and Savage ($49,254) medical assistant salaries.RochesterSavageMedian Salary$52,307$49,254Entry Level (P10)$48,276$42,017Top Earner (P90)$63,664$62,985US Median $47,961

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Rochester and Savage is $3,053 (6.20%). 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 Rochester spans $15,388,Savage spans $20,968. Savage has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$48,276
P25$49,514
Median$52,307
P75$60,106
P90 (Top)$63,664
Savage
P10 (Entry)$42,017
P25$43,175
Median$49,254
P75$53,018
P90 (Top)$62,985

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($57,594 effective) pays 15.18% more than Savage ($50,004 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $52,307
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $57,594
Savage
Nominal: $49,254
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $50,004

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,307/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,664)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,594)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Savage if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Rochester grew 13.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.6% growth in Savage over the same period.

Rochester, MN

+13.0%

$44,090 (2019) → $49,830 (2025)

Savage, MN

+2.6%

$45,713 (2024) → $46,922 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Rochester or Savage?

Rochester has a higher median medical assistant salary at $52,307/year, compared to Savage at $49,254/year — a difference of $3,053 (6.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Savage?

Rochester medical assistants earn $25.15/hr while Savage hygienists earn $23.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rochester to Savage as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Savage. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $57,594, Savage = $50,004), job availability (440 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $48,276 in Rochester and $42,017 in Savage. 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