Massage Therapist Pay

Andover vs Duluth: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Andover, MN
$58,828
$28.28/hr
Duluth, MN
$63,141
$30.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAndover, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$58,828$63,141
Hourly Rate$28.28$30.36
Entry Level (P10)$36,919$46,791
25th Percentile$45,473$56,641
75th Percentile$75,299$91,631
Top Earner (P90)$91,183$91,631
Total Employed890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Andover ($58,828) and Duluth ($63,141) massage therapist salaries.AndoverDuluthMedian Salary$58,828$63,141Entry Level (P10)$36,919$46,791Top Earner (P90)$91,183$91,631US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Andover and Duluth is $4,313 (7.33%). Duluth's median is +1.88% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Andover spans $54,264,Duluth spans $44,840. Andover has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Andover
P10 (Entry)$36,919
P25$45,473
Median$58,828
P75$75,299
P90 (Top)$91,183
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$46,791
P25$56,641
Median$63,141
P75$91,631
P90 (Top)$91,631

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($71,130 effective) pays 19.10% more than Andover ($59,724 effective).

Andover
Nominal: $58,828
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $59,724
Duluth
Nominal: $63,141
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $71,130

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 Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,141/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,631)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,130)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Andover grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.6% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Andover, MN

+12.4%

$49,359 (2024) → $55,482 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+16.6%

$51,060 (2019) → $59,550 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Andover or Duluth?

Duluth has a higher median massage therapist salary at $63,141/year, compared to Andover at $58,828/year — a difference of $4,313 (7.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Andover and Duluth?

Andover massage therapists earn $28.28/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $30.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Andover and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Andover = $59,724, Duluth = $71,130), job availability (8 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $36,919 in Andover and $46,791 in Duluth. The Duluth 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