Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Blaine, MN: $102,566 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Blaine, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $102,566 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Blaine's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $104,128 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($137,789) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Blaine, Minnesota, can anticipate an entry-level salary around $102,566 in 2026. This figure marks a substantial starting point when compared to the city’s median salary of $137,789, indicating a noticeable gap that many new graduates may need to navigate. In the earlier stages of their careers, entry-level PAs can expect to grow their salaries as they gain experience and take on additional responsibilities, with potential earnings reaching as high as $122,676 as they transition towards the first quartile. Given Blaine's favorable job outlook and structured support programs at many local healthcare facilities, it presents a promising environment for recent graduates entering the field.
About the Blaine Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Blaine
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 Blaine
Entry-level physician assistants in Blaine, MN typically start between $102,566 and $122,676 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $88,789 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $137,789 — 1.85% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Minnesota of $95,000 represents just 92.62% of the starting physician assistant pay ($102,566/year) in Blaine. 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 ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Blaine
- 1Research the Blaine market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $102,566 to $122,676, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Blaine, 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 Blaine for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Blaine's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Blaine is $88,789 ( 86.57%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $102,566, experienced hygienists can earn up to $191,355.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,640
2025 BLS Actual
$99,270
2026 Current Est.
$102,566
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Blaine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,854 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,727 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,184 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,481 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,566 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,971 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Blaine, MN grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $72,640 in 2019 to $99,270 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $105,971. New graduates entering the Blaine job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blaine 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 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Blaine
In the current job market, healthcare providers in Blaine that typically hire new graduate PAs include primary care clinics and urgent care centers, which often offer comprehensive onboarding systems tailored for recent graduates. These entry points allow new graduates to build their skills in a supportive environment. Advancing credentials, such as obtaining a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program and earning the NCCPA (PA-C) certification, can significantly enhance starting pay in MN, which often translates to better initial offers. New PAs should consider targeting sectors like surgical subspecialties, which can yield higher compensation, particularly in orthopedic and cardiothoracic surgery due to first-assist billing practices. Realistically, those in their first few years may see gradual salary increases, especially with the evolving landscape of PA practice under Optimal Team Practice guidelines, reinforcing the importance of gaining experience and expanding one's clinical skill set.
More salary data for Blaine, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
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 physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Blaine. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Blaine 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 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov