Massage Therapist Pay

Atlantic City vs East Brunswick: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Atlantic City, NJ
$59,091
$28.41/hr
East Brunswick, NJ
$69,854
$33.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJEast Brunswick, NJ
Median Salary$59,091$69,854
Hourly Rate$28.41$33.58
Entry Level (P10)$34,354$40,515
25th Percentile$35,849$51,034
75th Percentile$89,171$89,413
Top Earner (P90)$144,286$108,274
Total Employed2408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($59,091) and East Brunswick ($69,854) massage therapist salaries.Atlantic CityEast BrunswickMedian Salary$59,091$69,854Entry Level (P10)$34,354$40,515Top Earner (P90)$144,286$108,274US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlantic City and East Brunswick is $10,763 (18.21%). East Brunswick's median is +12.71% 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,East Brunswick spans $67,759. 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
East Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$40,515
P25$51,034
Median$69,854
P75$89,413
P90 (Top)$108,274

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, East Brunswick ($60,637 effective) pays 1.44% more than Atlantic City ($59,774 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $59,091
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $59,774
East Brunswick
Nominal: $69,854
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $60,637

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)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose East Brunswick if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,854/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,637)
  • 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 12.4% growth in East Brunswick over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+167.5%

$20,830 (2019) → $55,730 (2025)

East Brunswick, NJ

+12.4%

$58,611 (2024) → $65,881 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Atlantic City or East Brunswick?

East Brunswick has a higher median massage therapist salary at $69,854/year, compared to Atlantic City at $59,091/year — a difference of $10,763 (18.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and East Brunswick?

Atlantic City massage therapists earn $28.41/hr while East Brunswick hygienists earn $33.58/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and East Brunswick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $59,774, East Brunswick = $60,637), job availability (240 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $34,354 in Atlantic City and $40,515 in East Brunswick. The East Brunswick 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