Massage Therapist Pay

Avon Lake vs Cincinnati: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Avon Lake, OH and Cincinnati, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Avon Lake, OH
$54,134
$26.03/hr
Cincinnati, OH
$59,366
$28.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAvon Lake, OHCincinnati, OH
Median Salary$54,134$59,366
Hourly Rate$26.03$28.54
Entry Level (P10)$33,760$48,742
25th Percentile$41,618$52,941
75th Percentile$69,291$64,880
Top Earner (P90)$83,907$103,920
Total Employed5440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Avon Lake ($54,134) and Cincinnati ($59,366) massage therapist salaries.Avon LakeCincinnatiMedian Salary$54,134$59,366Entry Level (P10)$33,760$48,742Top Earner (P90)$83,907$103,920US Median $61,975

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Avon Lake.

The salary gap between Avon Lake and Cincinnati is $5,232 (9.66%). Cincinnati's median is -4.21% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Avon Lake spans $50,147,Cincinnati spans $55,178. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Avon Lake
P10 (Entry)$33,760
P25$41,618
Median$54,134
P75$69,291
P90 (Top)$83,907
Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$48,742
P25$52,941
Median$59,366
P75$64,880
P90 (Top)$103,920

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($62,248 effective) pays 4.29% more than Avon Lake ($59,685 effective).

Avon Lake
Nominal: $54,134
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $59,685
Cincinnati
Nominal: $59,366
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $62,248

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Avon Lake if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,366/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,920)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,248)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Avon Lake grew 38.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.7% growth in Cincinnati over the same period.

Avon Lake, OH

+38.9%

$36,765 (2024) → $51,055 (2025)

Cincinnati, OH

+35.7%

$41,270 (2019) → $55,990 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Avon Lake or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has a higher median massage therapist salary at $59,366/year, compared to Avon Lake at $54,134/year — a difference of $5,232 (9.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Avon Lake and Cincinnati?

Avon Lake massage therapists earn $26.03/hr while Cincinnati hygienists earn $28.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Avon Lake to Cincinnati as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Avon Lake and Cincinnati. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Avon Lake = $59,685, Cincinnati = $62,248), job availability (5 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Avon Lake vs Cincinnati?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $33,760 in Avon Lake and $48,742 in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati 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