Physician Assistant Salary in Moorhead, MN: $136,470 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Moorhead, MN earns a median $136,470/year (≈ $65.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $138,548 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Physician assistants in Moorhead, Minnesota, can anticipate a median annual salary of $136,470 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $140,391. The salary range spans from $107,121 at the entry level (P10) to as much as $191,145 for highly experienced roles (P90). According to estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, these figures reflect the diverse specialties within the physician assistant profession, particularly the distinction between surgical and primary care roles. Given the local healthcare ecosystem, candidates with surgical experience may find greater compensation opportunities, influencing the overall market for physician assistant jobs in Moorhead.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($130,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $107,121 | $51.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,136 | $60.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $136,470 | $65.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $158,661 | $76.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,145 | $91.89 |
Median Salary Position
2.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,024 (2026 est.). At $136,470, the local median is 2.79% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $136,470/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $141,861 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $140,391 | -2.79% less |
Physician Assistants in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $136,470 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.79% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $141,861.
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 physician assistant earning $136,470 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $138,548 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,125
2025 BLS Actual
$132,085
2026 Current Est.
$136,470
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,125 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,167 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,136 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,491 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,389 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $136,470 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $109,125 (2019) to $132,085 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,876 (29.21%) 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 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) | $107,121 – $125,136 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,136 – $136,470 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $136,470 – $158,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $158,661 – $191,145 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Moorhead
With only 11 physician assistants employed in the Moorhead area, the local job market is relatively compact. The cost of living index in Moorhead stands at 98.5, which indicates that living expenses are slightly below the national average. This reality can enhance the buying power of physician assistants’ salaries. Among various employers, surgical specialty practices and hospital systems tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages, particularly for those willing to take roles in high-demand areas such as orthopedics or emergency departments. Factors impacting the range of pay include the specific practice area, the volume of first-assist cases, call coverage requirements, and ongoing productivity metrics. To maximize earning potential, new and experienced physician assistants alike should consider negotiating for higher RVU productivity bonuses and exploring opportunities with specialty clinics or locum tenens positions, as these avenues often yield better financial outcomes in Moorhead, MN.
More salary data for Moorhead, 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 $132,085 for physician assistantsin the Moorhead 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
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 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