Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $47,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Minneapolis, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $47,404 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Minneapolis's local price level (BEA RPP 104.8 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $45,223 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($55,183) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those starting their careers in the medical field, the entry-level medical assistant salary in Minneapolis is projected to begin at around $47,404 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the city's median salary of $55,183, but it reflects the typical earnings for new graduates who are just stepping into the profession. With time, as medical assistants gain experience, they can expect their salaries to rise along a trajectory that moves from this starting point to approximately $51,078 at the 25th percentile and up to the median within the first few years. The Minneapolis job market is favorable for new graduates right now, especially given the impressive 4.97% annual growth rate expected in this sector as demand for qualified medical assistants continues to climb.
Career Earnings Timeline in Minneapolis
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minneapolis
Entry-level medical assistants in Minneapolis, MN typically start between $47,404 and $51,078 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $15,683 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $55,183 — 15.06% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Minnesota of $9,000 represents just 18.99% of the starting medical assistant pay ($47,404/year) in Minneapolis. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Minneapolis
- 1Research the Minneapolis market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $47,404 to $51,078, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Minneapolis, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Minneapolis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Minneapolis's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Minneapolis is $15,683 ( 33.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $47,404, experienced hygienists can earn up to $63,087.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,900
2025 BLS Actual
$45,160
2026 Current Est.
$47,404
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,760 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Minneapolis, MN grew 33.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $33,900 in 2019 to $45,160 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $49,760. New graduates entering the Minneapolis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, primary care offices and urgent care chains are among the top employers looking to hire new medical assistant graduates with structured onboarding programs. Specialty practices, however, like dermatology and orthopedics, often seek candidates with a bit more experience, having the potential to offer salaries that exceed 20-40% more than standard rates. For new grads wanting to increase their earning potential, obtaining credentials from respected organizations such as AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT can make a significant difference, especially if they hold a diploma or associate's degree from an accredited medical assistant program. Those gaining experience within their first three years can anticipate competitive growth in their pay, aligning with the healthcare industry's robust expansion, particularly in primary care and urgent care solutions. Exploring options like the MA-to-LPN/RN bridge pathways can further enhance career trajectory and salary prospects, further solidifying the appeal of this profession in Minneapolis.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Minneapolis. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov