Medical Assistant Salary in Rochester, MN: $52,307 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Rochester, MN earns a median $52,307/year (≈ $25.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $57,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Rochester, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $52,307, which represents a notable 9.06% increase compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range for medical assistants in the area spans from $48,276 at the 10th percentile to $63,664 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicates a vibrant job market where bilingual skills can yield significant compensation premiums, as diverse communities in Rochester increasingly seek healthcare professionals who can bridge language barriers. Overall, the job outlook for medical assistants remains strong in Rochester, supported by the continuous growth of the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,276 | $23.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,514 | $23.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,307 | $25.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,106 | $28.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,664 | $30.61 |
Median Salary Position
9.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,388 (2026 est.). At $52,307, the local median is 9.06% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Rochester median: $52,307/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $50,931 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | +9.06% more |
Medical Assistants in Rochester, MN earn a median of $52,307 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.06% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 2.70% above the Minnesota state average of $50,931.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $52,307 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,594 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,090
2025 BLS Actual
$49,830
2026 Current Est.
$52,307
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,820 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,307 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,906 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 13.0% from $44,090 (2019) to $49,830 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,906 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,816 (24.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $48,276 – $49,514 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,514 – $52,307 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,307 – $60,106 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,106 – $63,664 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Rochester
With around 440 medical assistants currently employed in Rochester, the local labor market demonstrates a robust demand for healthcare support roles. The cost of living index stands at 90.821, suggesting that while take-home pay may appear modest, it affords a reasonable standard of living in comparison to other regions. Notably, employers in specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, tend to offer higher compensation compared to primary care settings. Those interested in maximizing their medical assistant pay in Rochester MN should consider pursuing additional certifications—including phlebotomy and EKG—to enhance their employability. Bilingual candidates especially find advantageous opportunities, as they may receive a pay increase for their language proficiency. Understanding the specifics of local job markets, and the dynamics of different healthcare environments, can greatly influence earning potential in Rochester.
More salary data for Rochester, 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 $49,830 for medical assistantsin the Rochester 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
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