Massage Therapist Pay

Austintown vs Columbus: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Austintown, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austintown, OH
$55,770
$26.81/hr
Columbus, OH
$61,052
$29.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustintown, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$55,770$61,052
Hourly Rate$26.81$29.35
Entry Level (P10)$33,380$43,144
25th Percentile$42,088$50,428
75th Percentile$71,385$64,551
Top Earner (P90)$86,443$81,675
Total Employed7390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austintown ($55,770) and Columbus ($61,052) massage therapist salaries.AustintownColumbusMedian Salary$55,770$61,052Entry Level (P10)$33,380$43,144Top Earner (P90)$86,443$81,675US Median $61,975

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Austintown.

The salary gap between Austintown and Columbus is $5,282 (9.47%). Columbus's median is -1.49% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austintown spans $53,063,Columbus spans $38,531. Austintown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austintown
P10 (Entry)$33,380
P25$42,088
Median$55,770
P75$71,385
P90 (Top)$86,443
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$43,144
P25$50,428
Median$61,052
P75$64,551
P90 (Top)$81,675

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($63,950 effective) pays 4.00% more than Austintown ($61,488 effective).

Austintown
Nominal: $55,770
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $61,488
Columbus
Nominal: $61,052
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $63,950

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austintown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($86,443)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,052/year)
  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,950)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Austintown grew 38.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.4% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Austintown, OH

+38.9%

$37,876 (2024) → $52,598 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+41.4%

$40,730 (2019) → $57,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Austintown or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median massage therapist salary at $61,052/year, compared to Austintown at $55,770/year — a difference of $5,282 (9.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austintown and Columbus?

Austintown massage therapists earn $26.81/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $29.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austintown to Columbus as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austintown and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austintown = $61,488, Columbus = $63,950), job availability (7 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Austintown vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $33,380 in Austintown and $43,144 in Columbus. The Columbus 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