Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $24.10 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in St. Cloud, MN runs $24.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,123 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,078 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the projected median hourly pay for medical assistants is $24.10, exceeding the national median of $23.06. This competitive rate provides a solid earning foundation for those working part-time—typically three days a week—or as per-diem employees in various medical settings such as primary care offices, urgent care intake stations, and specialty practices. With an hourly range from $19.24 at the entry level to $29.20 for seasoned medical assistants, those entering the field can anticipate a reasonable starting wage while experienced professionals are well-positioned to secure higher pay. The data reflects official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates, affirming a strong market for medical support staff in St. Cloud.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.24 | $153.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.77 | $166.19 |
| Median (P50) | $24.10 | $192.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.61 | $204.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.20 | $233.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $24.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.10/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $50,130 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,921. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $964.04 | $4,178 | $50,130 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $578.43 | $2,507 | $30,078 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $385.62 | $1,671 | $20,052 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (St. Cloud) | $24.10 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $50,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.51% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 1.60% below the Minnesota state average of $50,938.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.10/hr = $30,078/year (purchasing power: $34,323).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,130/year (purchasing power: $57,205).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.10/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.10/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in St. Cloud grew 25.3% from $18.32/hr (2019) to $22.96/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.30/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in St. Cloud
Part-time medical assistants, working around 24 hours a week, can expect to earn about $28,048 annually, which provides a manageable income for those balancing other commitments. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities, rates generally vary, with common billings of $20-$30 per hour; specialists in fields like dermatology may charge between $25 and $38 per hour. Additionally, urgent care facilities may offer stipends of $50-$150 for 12-hour shifts, enhancing potential earnings significantly. However, hourly pay often fluctuates based on the employer type, with primary care offices generally offering lower rates compared to specialty clinics. Workers should consider negotiating their rates effectively, weighing benefits such as health insurance against higher wages that come with fewer advantages. This nuanced approach to compensation in St. Cloud is key for medical assistants navigating their career paths.
More salary data for St. Cloud, 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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in St. Cloud. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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