Medical Assistant Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $50,277 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $50,277/year (≈ $24.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $51,043 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottage Grove, Minnesota, the medical assistant salary landscape presents an appealing proposition for professionals in the healthcare field. With a projected median annual salary of $50,277 for 2026, local medical assistants earn approximately 4.83% more than their counterparts nationwide, who average $47,961. The salary for medical assistants in Cottage Grove spans a range from $40,462 at the lowest end (P10) to $61,438 at the highest (P90), a spread that reflects the varying demands of roles in this market. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, illuminate the income potential within specialty practices, which can offer higher compensation compared to primary care settings. Those considering employment in Cottage Grove can benefit from understanding these dynamics as they explore opportunities in a competitive job market.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,462 | $19.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,279 | $20.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,277 | $24.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,380 | $25.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,438 | $29.54 |
Median Salary Position
4.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,976 (2026 est.). At $50,277, the local median is 4.83% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cottage Grove Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $50,277/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $50,940 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +4.83% more |
Medical Assistants in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $50,277 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.83% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $50,940.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $50,277 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,043 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,481
2025 BLS Actual
$47,897
2026 Current Est.
$50,277
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Cottage Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,481 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,582 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,986 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,119 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,029 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,663 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,897 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,277 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,776 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $36,481 (2019) to $47,897 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,776 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,295 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,462 – $42,279 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,279 – $50,277 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,277 – $52,380 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,380 – $61,438 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Cottage Grove
Examining the local job market reveals that Cottage Grove currently employs eight medical assistants, indicating a steady demand for these professionals. The cost of living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, which may enhance purchasing power despite a modest compensation scale. Employers within Cottage Grove range from primary care physician offices to urgent care clinics and specialty practices, with the latter—particularly in dermatology, plastic surgery, and orthopedics—often offering the highest pay. Factors influencing pay disparity include specialty practice premiums, bilingual capabilities, and certifications that extend beyond basic medical assistant qualifications. To maximize earning potential in this area, candidates should consider pursuing additional certifications in phlebotomy or EKG, as well as seeking positions at urgent care facilities, where pay differentials may further elevate their medical assistant pay in Cottage Grove, MN.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,897 for medical assistantsin the Cottage Grove metropolitan area. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cottage Grove is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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