Minnesota Ranks Among the Best States for Doctors in 2026
If you’re a physician considering a change of scenery, Minnesota might be the ideal destination. A recent study by Chip Lupo of WalletHub ranks Minnesota as the fifth-best state in the U.S. For doctors in 2026, a rise from its seventh-place ranking in 2025.
Healthcare Hub: Why Minnesota Attracts Physicians
Minnesota’s strong healthcare presence, anchored by major companies like CentraCare and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, contributes significantly to its appeal. The WalletHub study considered factors like annual wage, hospitals per capita, and the percentage of the population with health insurance in its ‘Opportunity and Competition’ category.
A Favorable Medical Environment
The ranking as well assessed the ‘Medical Environment’ through metrics such as the quality of public hospital systems and the number of physician assistants per capita. Minnesota excelled in areas related to malpractice, finishing third in both Malpractice Award Payout Per Capita and Annual Malpractice Liability Insurance.
According to WalletHub, “Setting up a practice in one of the best states for doctors can have a profound effect on your medical career. Not only will you be working in top-quality medical facilities and earning high salaries, you’ll be less likely to burn out, and pay less for malpractice insurance.” The report also notes that residents benefit from access to quality healthcare at a reasonable cost.
Minnesota achieved a 13th-place ranking in Opportunity/Competition, a slight decrease from 12th place the previous year, and a 7th-place ranking in Medical Environment, down from 8th.
State Rankings: Who Else Made the List?
Montana topped the WalletHub list, followed by Indiana, Louisiana, and South Dakota. At the other end of the spectrum, New York ranked last (51st), with New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. Rounding out the bottom five.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What factors does WalletHub consider when ranking states for doctors?
A: WalletHub evaluates states based on ‘Opportunity and Competition’ (wage, hospitals per capita, insured population) and ‘Medical Environment’ (public hospital quality, physician assistants per capita, malpractice factors).
Q: How has Minnesota’s ranking changed recently?
A: Minnesota moved up to fifth place in 2026 from seventh place in 2025.
Q: What are the benefits of practicing medicine in a top-ranked state?
A: Doctors in top-ranked states generally work in high-quality facilities, earn competitive salaries, experience lower burnout rates, and pay less for malpractice insurance.
Q: Who is Chip Lupo?
A: Chip Lupo is a writer and analyst for WalletHub, with a background in journalism since 2018.
Did you know? Chip Lupo has been with WalletHub since 2018, primarily as a writer, and has an award for Sports Columns from the N.C. Press Association.
Explore more articles on Chip Lupo’s work at WalletHub.
