Massage Therapist Pay

Bangor vs Lewiston: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Bangor, ME and Lewiston, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bangor, ME
$59,072
$28.41/hr
Lewiston, ME
$60,806
$29.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBangor, MELewiston, ME
Median Salary$59,072$60,806
Hourly Rate$28.41$29.23
Entry Level (P10)$36,402$35,360
25th Percentile$45,168$44,934
75th Percentile$75,613$77,831
Top Earner (P90)$91,562$94,249
Total Employed67
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bangor ($59,072) and Lewiston ($60,806) massage therapist salaries.BangorLewistonMedian Salary$59,072$60,806Entry Level (P10)$36,402$35,360Top Earner (P90)$91,562$94,249US Median $61,975

Verdict

Lewiston, ME offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bangor.

The salary gap between Bangor and Lewiston is $1,734 (2.94%). Lewiston's median is -1.89% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bangor spans $55,160,Lewiston spans $58,889. Lewiston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Bangor
P10 (Entry)$36,402
P25$45,168
Median$59,072
P75$75,613
P90 (Top)$91,562
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$35,360
P25$44,934
Median$60,806
P75$77,831
P90 (Top)$94,249

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($61,050 effective) pays 2.94% more than Bangor ($59,309 effective).

Bangor
Nominal: $59,072
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $59,309
Lewiston
Nominal: $60,806
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $61,050

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bangor if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,806/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,249)
  • Larger job market (7 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,050)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Bangor grew 21.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.8% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Bangor, ME

+21.8%

$45,752 (2024) → $55,713 (2025)

Lewiston, ME

+21.8%

$47,095 (2024) → $57,348 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Bangor or Lewiston?

Lewiston has a higher median massage therapist salary at $60,806/year, compared to Bangor at $59,072/year — a difference of $1,734 (2.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bangor and Lewiston?

Bangor massage therapists earn $28.41/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $29.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bangor to Lewiston as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bangor and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bangor = $59,309, Lewiston = $61,050), job availability (6 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Bangor vs Lewiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $36,402 in Bangor and $35,360 in Lewiston. The Bangor 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