Massage Therapist Pay

Atlantic City vs West New York: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Atlantic City, NJ
$59,091
$28.41/hr
West New York, NJ
$71,045
$34.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJWest New York, NJ
Median Salary$59,091$71,045
Hourly Rate$28.41$34.15
Entry Level (P10)$34,354$41,206
25th Percentile$35,849$51,153
75th Percentile$89,171$90,938
Top Earner (P90)$144,286$110,121
Total Employed24010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($59,091) and West New York ($71,045) massage therapist salaries.Atlantic CityWest New YorkMedian Salary$59,091$71,045Entry Level (P10)$34,354$41,206Top Earner (P90)$144,286$110,121US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlantic City and West New York is $11,954 (20.23%). West New York's median is +14.63% 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,West New York spans $68,915. 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
West New York
P10 (Entry)$41,206
P25$51,153
Median$71,045
P75$90,938
P90 (Top)$110,121

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, West New York ($61,671 effective) pays 3.17% more than Atlantic City ($59,774 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $59,091
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $59,774
West New York
Nominal: $71,045
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $61,671

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 West New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,045/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,671)
  • 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 West New York over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+167.5%

$20,830 (2019) → $55,730 (2025)

West New York, NJ

+12.4%

$59,611 (2024) → $67,005 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Atlantic City or West New York?

West New York has a higher median massage therapist salary at $71,045/year, compared to Atlantic City at $59,091/year — a difference of $11,954 (20.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and West New York?

Atlantic City massage therapists earn $28.41/hr while West New York hygienists earn $34.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to West New York as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and West New York. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $59,774, West New York = $61,671), job availability (240 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Atlantic City vs West New York?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $34,354 in Atlantic City and $41,206 in West New York. The West New York 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