Medical Assistant Pay

Duluth vs Plymouth: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Duluth, MN and Plymouth, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$50,375
$24.22/hr
Plymouth, MN
$50,414
$24.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNPlymouth, MN
Median Salary$50,375$50,414
Hourly Rate$24.22$24.24
Entry Level (P10)$39,511$37,915
25th Percentile$41,831$43,699
75th Percentile$52,947$53,352
Top Earner (P90)$61,775$63,551
Total Employed75014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($50,375) and Plymouth ($50,414) medical assistant salaries.DuluthPlymouthMedian Salary$50,375$50,414Entry Level (P10)$39,511$37,915Top Earner (P90)$61,775$63,551US Median $47,961

Verdict

Plymouth, MN offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Duluth and Plymouth is $39 (0.08%). Plymouth's median is +5.11% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $22,264,Plymouth spans $25,636. Plymouth has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$39,511
P25$41,831
Median$50,375
P75$52,947
P90 (Top)$61,775
Plymouth
P10 (Entry)$37,915
P25$43,699
Median$50,414
P75$53,352
P90 (Top)$63,551

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($56,749 effective) pays 10.88% more than Plymouth ($51,182 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $50,375
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $56,749
Plymouth
Nominal: $50,414
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $51,182

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (750 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,749)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Plymouth if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,414/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,551)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Duluth grew 18.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.6% growth in Plymouth over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+18.9%

$40,360 (2019) → $47,990 (2025)

Plymouth, MN

+2.6%

$46,790 (2024) → $48,027 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Duluth or Plymouth?

Plymouth has a higher median medical assistant salary at $50,414/year, compared to Duluth at $50,375/year — a difference of $39 (0.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Plymouth?

Duluth medical assistants earn $24.22/hr while Plymouth hygienists earn $24.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Plymouth as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Plymouth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $56,749, Plymouth = $51,182), job availability (750 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Duluth vs Plymouth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $39,511 in Duluth and $37,915 in Plymouth. The Duluth area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov