Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Fridley, MN: $39,502 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Fridley, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,502 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fridley's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $40,104 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($48,317) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fridley, Minnesota, the starting medical assistant salary for new graduates in 2026 is projected to be $39,502, which provides a solid entry point into the healthcare industry. While this figure is below the city’s median annual salary of $48,317, it offers new medical assistants a pathway for growth and advancement. For early-career professionals over the first three to five years, there’s an observable growth trajectory that can lead from the starting pay through a 25th percentile of $41,237, inching closer to the median salary. Given Fridley's expanding healthcare sector, particularly in primary and urgent care settings, this market presents a favorable environment for recent graduates looking to establish their careers.
About the Fridley Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fridley
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fridley
Entry-level medical assistants in Fridley, MN typically start between $39,502 and $41,237 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,217 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $48,317 — 0.74% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Minnesota of $9,000 represents just 22.78% of the starting medical assistant pay ($39,502/year) in Fridley. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Fridley
- 1Research the Fridley market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $39,502 to $41,237, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fridley, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Fridley for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fridley's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Fridley is $22,217 ( 56.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,502, experienced hygienists can earn up to $61,719.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$26,953
2025 BLS Actual
$37,632
2026 Current Est.
$39,502
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Fridley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,953 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,112 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,346 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,724 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,815 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,502 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,466 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Fridley, MN grew 39.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,953 in 2019 to $37,632 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,466. New graduates entering the Fridley job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fridley 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.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Fridley
New medical assistants seeking employment in Fridley have various options, with primary care offices and urgent care chains often recruiting new graduates, providing structured onboarding that eases the transition into the profession. Specialty practices, such as dermatology or orthopedics, tend to prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience but offer a premium due to specialized skills. Candidates can enhance their starting medical assistant pay in MN by obtaining credentials from recognized national certifying bodies like AAMA, AMT, or NHA, often including additional skills like phlebotomy or EKG certifications. Within the first 1-3 years of their careers, entry-level medical assistants can expect an upward trajectory in pay, especially if they capitalize on the job growth rates in primary care, corporate occupational health, and other sectors. By strategically aiming for roles in high-demand areas, they can realize salary increases that reflect the expanding scope of the medical assistant workforce.
More salary data for Fridley, 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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Fridley. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fridley 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