Minnesota pays physician assistants more than all five neighboring comparison states. The statewide mean of $147,630 exceeds Iowa's $139,870, Wisconsin's $136,750, Ohio's $136,560, Michigan's $132,140, and Illinois's $131,880. Budget accordingly if you are competing for candidates who have offers from employers in those states.
Physician assistant salary in Minnesota (2026)
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The average physician assistant salary in Minnesota is $147,630 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $141,190 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Minnesota employs 3,660 physician assistants, and the $6,440 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior physician assistants in Minnesota typically earn around $112,390, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed the $183,320 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a physician assistant hire in Minnesota, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $141,190 |
Average Annual Salary | $147,630 |
vs. National Average | 4.5% above the national mean of $141,280 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 3,660 employed physician assistants across Minnesota.
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Physician assistant salary percentiles in Minnesota
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $112,390 |
25th Percentile | $131,720 |
75th Percentile | $163,690 |
90th Percentile | $183,320 |
Employers setting an offer for a physician assistant in Minnesota should expect a meaningful spread depending on experience level. Entry-level candidates typically fall near $112,390, while experienced specialists commonly reach $183,320 or beyond, giving you a practical budgeting range tied directly to the seniority of the role.
Physician assistant salary by city in Minnesota
City | Average Annual Salary |
Rochester | $157,160 |
Minneapolis | $147,010 |
Duluth | $143,590 |
Mankato | $143,530 |
St. Cloud | $134,240 |
Location should factor into your compensation budget, since average pay for physician assistants varies by nearly $23,000 across Minnesota metros. Rochester leads at $157,160, while St. Cloud sits at $134,240, so employers hiring in Rochester should expect to set offers noticeably higher than those hiring in smaller markets.
How Minnesota compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Minnesota | $147,630 | $141,190 |
Iowa | $139,870 | $134,770 |
Wisconsin | $136,750 | $133,950 |
Ohio | $136,560 | $132,090 |
Michigan | $132,140 | $131,510 |
Illinois | $131,880 | $131,950 |
Employers hiring physician assistants in Minnesota should budget above what comparable roles cost in neighboring states. Minnesota's mean of $147,630 and median of $141,190 both sit above every comparison state in this group, with Iowa as the closest peer at a mean of $139,870. Candidates relocating from Illinois or Michigan will likely expect a pay increase when moving to Minnesota.
Frequently asked questions about physician assistant salary in Minnesota
How does Minnesota compare to other states for physician assistant salary?
What do the top-earning physician assistants make in Minnesota?
Physician assistants at the 90th percentile in Minnesota earn $183,320 per year. Senior specialists in high-demand settings or specialty practices are the candidates most likely to command offers at or above that level. When recruiting for those roles, plan your offer range with the 90th percentile as a realistic benchmark rather than a ceiling.
What is the salary range for a physician assistant in Minnesota?
The published salary range for physician assistants in Minnesota runs from $112,390 at the 10th percentile to $183,320 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $131,720 at the 25th percentile and $163,690 at the 75th percentile. Use the 25th-to-75th range as your core budgeting band and adjust up or down based on the seniority and specialty of the role you are filling.
What is the average physician assistant salary in Minnesota?
The average physician assistant salary in Minnesota is $147,630 per year, which sits 4.5% above the national mean of $141,280. The median of $141,190 is a more grounded reference point for most offers, since a smaller group of higher-compensated roles pulls the average upward. Use the median as your baseline and adjust for experience, specialty, and location within the state.
Physician Assistant salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1071 (Physician Assistants).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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