Medical Assistant Salary in Moorhead, MN: $48,993 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Moorhead, MN earns a median $48,993/year (≈ $23.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $49,739 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical assistants in Moorhead, Minnesota, are projected to earn a median salary of $48,993, slightly above the national average of $47,961. Salary estimates for this role in Moorhead suggest a range from $41,368 at the 10th percentile to $63,761 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the local market's dynamic pay structure. Medical assistants employed in specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, can expect a pay premium of 20-40% compared to their peers in primary care settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and take into account regional cost adjustments that inform the local medical assistant pay in Moorhead.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,368 | $19.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,631 | $20.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,993 | $23.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,666 | $24.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,761 | $30.65 |
Median Salary Position
2.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,393 (2026 est.). At $48,993, the local median is 2.15% above the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $48,993/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $50,928 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | +2.15% more |
Medical Assistants in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $48,993 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.15% higher than the national median of $47,961 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $50,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moorhead has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moorhead, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $48,993 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,739 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,549
2025 BLS Actual
$46,673
2026 Current Est.
$48,993
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,549 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,621 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,093 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,904 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,471 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,673 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,993 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,428 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $35,549 (2019) to $46,673 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,428 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,879 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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) | $41,368 – $42,631 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,631 – $48,993 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,993 – $50,666 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,666 – $63,761 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Moorhead
The medical assistant job market in Moorhead comprises approximately 11 professionals, which indicates a relatively concentrated workforce. Given the cost of living index in the area stands at 98.5, which is below the national average, the take-home purchasing power for medical assistants may be enhanced despite the modest salary levels. Employers in Moorhead include a mix of primary care physician offices and specialty practices, with dermatology and orthopedic clinics often offering the highest salaries. The variation in pay is influenced by factors such as specialty focus, additional certifications like phlebotomy or EKG, and language proficiency in high-demand languages. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications and gaining experience in higher-paying specialty areas will be essential strategies in this regional job market.
More salary data for Moorhead, 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 $46,673 for medical assistantsin the Moorhead 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
Salary data for Moorhead 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