Medical Assistant Salary in Prior Lake, MN: $49,859 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Prior Lake, MN earns a median $49,859/year (≈ $23.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Prior Lake's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $50,618 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For those considering a career as a medical assistant in Prior Lake, MN, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $49,859, which comfortably exceeds the national median of $47,961 by 3.96%. This competitive salary range extends from $39,375 at the lowest 10th percentile to $64,819 at the highest 90th percentile, providing a solid income breadth for both entry-level and experienced positions. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect adjustments based on regional costs and labor market dynamics. With the growing demand for medical assistants in various healthcare settings, including primary care and specialty practices, there’s a notable opportunity for professionals to bridge into advanced roles such as LPN or RN, enhancing long-term earning potential.
About the Prior Lake Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,375 | $18.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,412 | $19.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,859 | $23.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,481 | $24.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,819 | $31.17 |
Median Salary Position
3.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Prior Lake
In Prior Lake, MN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,444 (2026 est.). At $49,859, the local median is 3.96% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Prior Lake: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Prior Lake Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Prior Lake median: $49,859/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Prior Lake Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $50,928 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +3.96% more |
Medical Assistants in Prior Lake, MN earn a median of $49,859 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.96% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 2.10% below the Minnesota state average of $50,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Prior Lake 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.
Prior Lake, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $49,859 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,618 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,177
2025 BLS Actual
$47,498
2026 Current Est.
$49,859
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Prior Lake (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,177 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,269 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,662 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,784 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,662 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,274 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,498 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,859 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Prior Lake metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $36,177 (2019) to $47,498 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,160 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Prior Lake 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) | $39,375 – $41,412 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,412 – $49,859 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,859 – $51,481 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,481 – $64,819 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Prior Lake
Despite only seven medical assistants currently employed in Prior Lake, the area boasts a favorable cost-of-living index of 98.5, suggesting that salaries provide reasonable purchasing power relative to expenses. Employers such as specialty practices in dermatology and orthopedics typically offer higher pay due to the premium placed on specialized skills. Additional income can be earned through certifications in phlebotomy or EKG, and being bilingual may also increase opportunities and compensation. Given these factors, medical assistants looking to maximize pay should explore positions in urgent care facilities or corporate occupational health clinics, where shifts may come with differential pay. Understanding these nuances will help candidates make informed decisions in their career trajectories within the local healthcare market.
More salary data for Prior Lake, 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 $47,498 for medical assistantsin the Prior Lake 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 Prior Lake 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