Massage Therapist Pay

Andover vs Boston: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Andover, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Andover, MA
$58,730
$28.24/hr
Boston, MA
$79,692
$38.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAndover, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$58,730$79,692
Hourly Rate$28.24$38.31
Entry Level (P10)$35,175$49,230
25th Percentile$44,155$55,528
75th Percentile$75,174$109,211
Top Earner (P90)$91,032$111,024
Total Employed52,180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Andover ($58,730) and Boston ($79,692) massage therapist salaries.AndoverBostonMedian Salary$58,730$79,692Entry Level (P10)$35,175$49,230Top Earner (P90)$91,032$111,024US Median $61,975

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Andover.

The salary gap between Andover and Boston is $20,962 (35.69%). Boston's median is +28.59% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Andover spans $55,857,Boston spans $61,794. Boston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Andover
P10 (Entry)$35,175
P25$44,155
Median$58,730
P75$75,174
P90 (Top)$91,032
Boston
P10 (Entry)$49,230
P25$55,528
Median$79,692
P75$109,211
P90 (Top)$111,024

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($73,608 effective) pays 35.99% more than Andover ($54,129 effective).

Andover
Nominal: $58,730
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $54,129
Boston
Nominal: $79,692
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $73,608

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Andover if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,692/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,024)
  • Larger job market (2,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,608)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Andover grew -10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.3% growth in Boston over the same period.

Andover, MA

+-10.1%

$61,639 (2024) → $55,390 (2025)

Boston, MA

+40.3%

$53,560 (2019) → $75,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Andover or Boston?

Boston has a higher median massage therapist salary at $79,692/year, compared to Andover at $58,730/year — a difference of $20,962 (35.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Andover and Boston?

Andover massage therapists earn $28.24/hr while Boston hygienists earn $38.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Andover to Boston as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Andover and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Andover = $54,129, Boston = $73,608), job availability (5 vs 2,180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Andover vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $35,175 in Andover and $49,230 in Boston. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, LMT

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in massage therapy. They specialize in sports massage. They work in a wellness center.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, LMTData verified by Carlos Ramirez, LMT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.03% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov