Massage Therapist Pay

Atlantic City vs Perth Amboy: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Atlantic City, NJ
$59,091
$28.41/hr
Perth Amboy, NJ
$69,931
$33.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJPerth Amboy, NJ
Median Salary$59,091$69,931
Hourly Rate$28.41$33.62
Entry Level (P10)$34,354$42,114
25th Percentile$35,849$52,896
75th Percentile$89,171$89,512
Top Earner (P90)$144,286$108,393
Total Employed24013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($59,091) and Perth Amboy ($69,931) massage therapist salaries.Atlantic CityPerth AmboyMedian Salary$59,091$69,931Entry Level (P10)$34,354$42,114Top Earner (P90)$144,286$108,393US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Perth Amboy is $10,840 (18.34%). Perth Amboy's median is +12.84% 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,Perth Amboy spans $66,279. 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
Perth Amboy
P10 (Entry)$42,114
P25$52,896
Median$69,931
P75$89,512
P90 (Top)$108,393

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Perth Amboy ($60,704 effective) pays 1.56% more than Atlantic City ($59,774 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $59,091
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $59,774
Perth Amboy
Nominal: $69,931
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $60,704

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 Perth Amboy if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,931/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,704)
  • 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 Perth Amboy over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+167.5%

$20,830 (2019) → $55,730 (2025)

Perth Amboy, NJ

+12.4%

$58,676 (2024) → $65,954 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Atlantic City or Perth Amboy?

Perth Amboy has a higher median massage therapist salary at $69,931/year, compared to Atlantic City at $59,091/year — a difference of $10,840 (18.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Perth Amboy?

Atlantic City massage therapists earn $28.41/hr while Perth Amboy hygienists earn $33.62/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Perth Amboy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $59,774, Perth Amboy = $60,704), job availability (240 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $34,354 in Atlantic City and $42,114 in Perth Amboy. The Perth Amboy 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