Massage Therapist Pay

Bangor vs Scarborough: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Bangor, ME
$59,072
$28.41/hr
Scarborough, ME
$58,893
$28.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBangor, MEScarborough, ME
Median Salary$59,072$58,893
Hourly Rate$28.41$28.31
Entry Level (P10)$36,402$35,285
25th Percentile$45,168$46,484
75th Percentile$75,613$75,279
Top Earner (P90)$91,562$91,284
Total Employed65
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bangor ($59,072) and Scarborough ($58,893) massage therapist salaries.BangorScarboroughMedian Salary$59,072$58,893Entry Level (P10)$36,402$35,285Top Earner (P90)$91,562$91,284US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bangor and Scarborough is $179 (0.30%). Bangor's median is -4.68% 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,Scarborough spans $55,999. Scarborough 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
Scarborough
P10 (Entry)$35,285
P25$46,484
Median$58,893
P75$75,279
P90 (Top)$91,284

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bangor ($59,309 effective) pays 0.30% more than Scarborough ($59,130 effective).

Bangor
Nominal: $59,072
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $59,309
Scarborough
Nominal: $58,893
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $59,130

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bangor if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,072/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,562)
  • Larger job market (6 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,309)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Scarborough if…

  • 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 Scarborough over the same period.

Bangor, ME

+21.8%

$45,752 (2024) → $55,713 (2025)

Scarborough, ME

+21.8%

$45,614 (2024) → $55,544 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Bangor or Scarborough?

Bangor has a higher median massage therapist salary at $59,072/year, compared to Scarborough at $58,893/year — a difference of $179 (0.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bangor and Scarborough?

Bangor massage therapists earn $28.41/hr while Scarborough hygienists earn $28.31/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bangor and Scarborough. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bangor = $59,309, Scarborough = $59,130), job availability (6 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $36,402 in Bangor and $35,285 in Scarborough. 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