Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Eden Prairie, MN: $104,839 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Eden Prairie, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $104,839 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Eden Prairie's local price level (BEA RPP 98.5 — 1% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $106,436 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($143,633) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Many new graduates entering the physician assistant field in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, can anticipate an entry-level salary around $104,839 in 2026. While this starting pay is on the lower end of the local spectrum, it showcases potential for growth as new PAs gain experience and expertise. The median annual salary for physician assistants in the area is projected to be $143,633, indicating a significant gap that can be bridged over the first few years of practice. Entry-level professionals can expect a progressive trajectory as they move from this starting figure up to approximately $126,432 within a short time frame, benefiting from annual salary growth projected at 3.32%. Overall, Eden Prairie presents a favorable market for new graduates, balancing opportunities for professional development with competitive compensation in relation to their experience.
About the Eden Prairie Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Eden Prairie
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 Eden Prairie
Entry-level physician assistants in Eden Prairie, MN typically start between $104,839 and $126,432 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $91,759 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $143,633 — 2.31% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Minnesota of $95,000 represents just 90.62% of the starting physician assistant pay ($104,839/year) in Eden Prairie. 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 Eden Prairie
- 1Research the Eden Prairie market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $104,839 to $126,432, 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 Eden Prairie, 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 Eden Prairie for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Eden Prairie'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 Eden Prairie is $91,759 ( 87.52%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $104,839, experienced hygienists can earn up to $196,598.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$74,249
2025 BLS Actual
$101,470
2026 Current Est.
$104,839
2019–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Eden Prairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,249 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,313 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,579 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,583 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,095 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,443 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,839 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,319 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Eden Prairie, MN grew 36.7% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $74,249 in 2019 to $101,470 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $108,319. New graduates entering the Eden Prairie job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eden Prairie 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 Eden Prairie
In Eden Prairie, various employers actively seek out recent graduates to join their teams, typically in primary care and urgent care settings where structured onboarding programs exist. These opportunities enable new physicians assistants to acclimate quickly to their roles. Moreover, surgical subspecialty programs often recruit through residency or fellowship pipelines, and hospital medicine groups may offer night-only schedules, which can be appealing to many new graduates. Credentials such as a master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA national certification (PA-C), state PA license, DEA registration, and optional specialty certificates enhance a PA's earning potential in the early stages of their careers. Given that the scope of practice is dictated by state law alongside physician collaboration, those working in high-demand areas like surgery—particularly orthopedics—can expect more substantial compensation due to first-assist billing procedures. Within the first few years, realistic salary growth for entry-level positions will depend heavily on the type of employment settings and certifications held, as well as the prevailing market dynamics in MN.
More salary data for Eden Prairie, 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 Eden Prairie. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Eden Prairie 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