Massage Therapist Pay

Augusta vs Kennesaw: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Augusta, GA and Kennesaw, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$62,346
$29.97/hr
Kennesaw, GA
$55,083
$26.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAKennesaw, GA
Median Salary$62,346$55,083
Hourly Rate$29.97$26.49
Entry Level (P10)$44,077$33,725
25th Percentile$50,651$40,731
75th Percentile$78,727$70,506
Top Earner (P90)$94,112$85,379
Total Employed1308
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($62,346) and Kennesaw ($55,083) massage therapist salaries.AugustaKennesawMedian Salary$62,346$55,083Entry Level (P10)$44,077$33,725Top Earner (P90)$94,112$85,379US Median $61,975

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kennesaw.

The salary gap between Augusta and Kennesaw is $7,263 (13.19%). Augusta's median is +0.60% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $50,035,Kennesaw spans $51,654. Kennesaw has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$44,077
P25$50,651
Median$62,346
P75$78,727
P90 (Top)$94,112
Kennesaw
P10 (Entry)$33,725
P25$40,731
Median$55,083
P75$70,506
P90 (Top)$85,379

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($67,839 effective) pays 14.66% more than Kennesaw ($59,165 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $62,346
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $67,839
Kennesaw
Nominal: $55,083
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $59,165

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,346/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,112)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,839)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Kennesaw if…

  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Augusta grew 29.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.2% growth in Kennesaw over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+29.5%

$45,410 (2019) → $58,800 (2025)

Kennesaw, GA

+39.2%

$37,330 (2024) → $51,950 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Augusta or Kennesaw?

Augusta has a higher median massage therapist salary at $62,346/year, compared to Kennesaw at $55,083/year — a difference of $7,263 (13.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Kennesaw?

Augusta massage therapists earn $29.97/hr while Kennesaw hygienists earn $26.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Kennesaw as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Kennesaw. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $67,839, Kennesaw = $59,165), job availability (130 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Augusta vs Kennesaw?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $44,077 in Augusta and $33,725 in Kennesaw. The Augusta 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