Medical Assistant Salary in North Dakota: $49,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median medical assistant pay sits at $49,050/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9092. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,315 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bismarck ($48,980), Fargo ($47,280), Grand Forks ($44,560).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical assistants in North Dakota is projected to be $49,050, slightly above the national median of $47,961, reflecting a difference of +2.3%. The highest-paying city in the state is Bismarck, with salaries reaching $51,414, while Mandan offers the lowest at $41,240, resulting in a salary gap of $10,174. Factors influencing this disparity include the cost of living, demand for medical services, and regional healthcare needs. North Dakota has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact job functions for medical assistants. The healthcare landscape is expanding in the state, driven by increasing population demands and a growing emphasis on preventive care, leading to a projected growth rate of 4.97% for medical assistant positions. In 2026, notable salaries in other cities include Fargo at $49,630, Grand Forks at $46,775, Minot at $45,525, and West Fargo at $43,364, illustrating wage variations tied to location and local market conditions. Overall, the job market for medical assistants in North Dakota shows promising growth, providing opportunities for those entering the field.
North Dakota Medical Assistant Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $34,004 (lowest entry-level) to $62,405 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota medical assistants earn 2.27% more than the national median (+$1,089/year difference).
North Dakota Medical Assistant Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Assistant salaries in North Dakota range from $39,359 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,656 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,050. The North Dakota median is $1,089 above the US national median of $47,961. The average hourly rate is $23.58/hr. Approximately 577 medical assistants are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$36,925
2025 BLS Actual
$46,728
2026 Current Est.
$49,050
2019–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,925 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,783 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,727 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,488 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 26.5% from $36,925 (2019) to $46,728 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,488 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,563 (39.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $41,240 |
| Williston | $42,103 |
| Dickinson | $43,145 |
| West Fargo | $43,364 |
| Minot | $45,525 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Assistants in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for medical assistants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $51,414 | 91.024 | $56,484 |
| Fargo | $49,630 | 90.871 | $54,616 |
| Grand Forks | $46,775 | 86.663 | $53,973 |
| Minot | $45,525 | 87.028 | $52,311 |
| West Fargo | $43,364 | 92 | $47,135 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,359 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,050 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $60,656 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $51,414 |
| 2 | Fargo | $49,630 |
| 3 | Grand Forks | $46,775 |
| 4 | Minot | $45,525 |
| 5 | West Fargo | $43,364 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $43,145 |
| 7 | Williston | $42,103 |
| 8 | Mandan | $41,240 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical assistant hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical assistants.
Explore More Medical Assistant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical assistants in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota medical assistant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical assistant salary in North Dakota?
How many medical assistants are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for medical assistants?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical assistant compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical assistantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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