Massage Therapist Pay

Athens vs Peachtree Corners: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Athens, GA and Peachtree Corners, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Athens, GA
$77,752
$37.39/hr
Peachtree Corners, GA
$56,641
$27.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAthens, GAPeachtree Corners, GA
Median Salary$77,752$56,641
Hourly Rate$37.39$27.23
Entry Level (P10)$45,466$32,852
25th Percentile$57,362$41,614
75th Percentile$82,576$72,501
Top Earner (P90)$82,576$87,794
Total Employed6010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Athens ($77,752) and Peachtree Corners ($56,641) massage therapist salaries.AthensPeachtree CornersMedian Salary$77,752$56,641Entry Level (P10)$45,466$32,852Top Earner (P90)$82,576$87,794US Median $61,975

Verdict

Athens, GA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peachtree Corners.

The salary gap between Athens and Peachtree Corners is $21,111 (37.27%). Athens's median is +25.46% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Athens spans $37,110,Peachtree Corners spans $54,942. Peachtree Corners has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Athens
P10 (Entry)$45,466
P25$57,362
Median$77,752
P75$82,576
P90 (Top)$82,576
Peachtree Corners
P10 (Entry)$32,852
P25$41,614
Median$56,641
P75$72,501
P90 (Top)$87,794

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Athens ($83,297 effective) pays 36.91% more than Peachtree Corners ($60,839 effective).

Athens
Nominal: $77,752
CoL Index: 93.343
Adjusted: $83,297
Peachtree Corners
Nominal: $56,641
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $60,839

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Athens if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,752/year)
  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,297)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Peachtree Corners if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,794)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Athens grew 152.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 39.2% growth in Peachtree Corners over the same period.

Athens, GA

+152.8%

$29,010 (2021) → $73,330 (2025)

Peachtree Corners, GA

+39.2%

$38,386 (2024) → $53,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Athens or Peachtree Corners?

Athens has a higher median massage therapist salary at $77,752/year, compared to Peachtree Corners at $56,641/year — a difference of $21,111 (37.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Athens and Peachtree Corners?

Athens massage therapists earn $37.39/hr while Peachtree Corners hygienists earn $27.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Athens to Peachtree Corners as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Athens and Peachtree Corners. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Athens = $83,297, Peachtree Corners = $60,839), job availability (60 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Athens vs Peachtree Corners?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $45,466 in Athens and $32,852 in Peachtree Corners. The Athens 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