Massage Therapist Pay

Atlantic City vs Camden: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Camden, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$59,091
$28.41/hr
Camden, NJ
$61,644
$29.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJCamden, NJ
Median Salary$59,091$61,644
Hourly Rate$28.41$29.64
Entry Level (P10)$34,354$35,814
25th Percentile$35,849$45,646
75th Percentile$89,171$78,904
Top Earner (P90)$144,286$95,548
Total Employed24016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($59,091) and Camden ($61,644) massage therapist salaries.Atlantic CityCamdenMedian Salary$59,091$61,644Entry Level (P10)$34,354$35,814Top Earner (P90)$144,286$95,548US Median $61,975

Verdict

Atlantic City and Camden are closely matched on overall massage therapist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Camden is $2,553 (4.32%). Camden's median is -0.53% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $109,932,Camden spans $59,734. Atlantic City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$34,354
P25$35,849
Median$59,091
P75$89,171
P90 (Top)$144,286
Camden
P10 (Entry)$35,814
P25$45,646
Median$61,644
P75$78,904
P90 (Top)$95,548

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($59,774 effective) pays 11.71% more than Camden ($53,510 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $59,091
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $59,774
Camden
Nominal: $61,644
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $53,510

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($144,286)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,774)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Camden if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,644/year)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Atlantic City grew 167.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.4% growth in Camden over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+167.5%

$20,830 (2019) → $55,730 (2025)

Camden, NJ

+0.4%

$57,889 (2024) → $58,138 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Atlantic City or Camden?

Camden has a higher median massage therapist salary at $61,644/year, compared to Atlantic City at $59,091/year — a difference of $2,553 (4.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Camden?

Atlantic City massage therapists earn $28.41/hr while Camden hygienists earn $29.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Camden as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Camden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $59,774, Camden = $53,510), job availability (240 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Atlantic City vs Camden?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $34,354 in Atlantic City and $35,814 in Camden. The Camden area offers higher starting salaries.
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