Physician Assistant Salary in Duluth, MN: $140,371 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Duluth, MN earns a median $140,371/year (≈ $67.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $158,132 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Duluth, Minnesota, the compensation for physician assistants reflects the unique structural dynamics between W-2 hospital employment and 1099 private practice opportunities. Projected for 2026, physician assistants can expect a median annual salary of $140,371, with a salary range extending from $112,577 at the lower end to $180,655 at the higher end. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating a competitive marketplace for PAs in this region. Given Duluth's healthcare landscape and the various practice models, there will be opportunities for PAs to secure salaries that align with their specific roles and responsibilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $112,577 | $54.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,388 | $64.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,371 | $67.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,758 | $80.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,655 | $86.85 |
Median Salary Position
0.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,078 (2026 est.). At $140,371, the local median is 0.01% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Duluth Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Duluth median: $140,371/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $141,932 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -0.01% less |
Physician Assistants in Duluth, MN earn a median of $140,371 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.01% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 1.10% below the Minnesota state average of $141,932.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $140,371 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $158,132 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,590
2025 BLS Actual
$135,860
2026 Current Est.
$140,371
2019–2027 Growth
+25.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $105,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $113,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $135,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,371 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 17.5% from $115,590 (2019) to $135,860 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,441 (25.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $112,577 – $134,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,388 – $140,371 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,371 – $166,758 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,758 – $180,655 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Duluth
The local job market supports approximately 200 employed physician assistants, a figure that highlights stable demand for this role. Duluth's cost of living index stands at 88.768, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly below the national average, the lower cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power. Among the highest-paying employers, hospital systems (utilizing W-2 arrangements) tend to offer more stable payroll, whereas surgical specialty practices, particularly in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, may command higher fees tied to first-assist case volume and RVU productivity bonuses. This variance in compensation can also be influenced by factors such as call coverage, the specific practice model, and provider specialties. For aspiring physician assistants in Duluth, seeking positions in high-demand specialties while considering the benefits of hospital employment may be strategic paths to maximize their potential earnings.
More salary data for Duluth, 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
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 $135,860 for physician assistantsin the Duluth metropolitan area. A 3.32% 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
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 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