Massage Therapist Pay

Bedford vs Nashua: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Bedford, NH and Nashua, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bedford, NH
$62,632
$30.11/hr
Nashua, NH
$85,809
$41.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBedford, NHNashua, NH
Median Salary$62,632$85,809
Hourly Rate$30.11$41.26
Entry Level (P10)$36,327$49,769
25th Percentile$49,837$61,783
75th Percentile$80,169$109,835
Top Earner (P90)$97,080$133,004
Total Employed621
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bedford ($62,632) and Nashua ($85,809) massage therapist salaries.BedfordNashuaMedian Salary$62,632$85,809Entry Level (P10)$36,327$49,769Top Earner (P90)$97,080$133,004US Median $61,975

Verdict

Nashua, NH offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bedford.

The salary gap between Bedford and Nashua is $23,177 (37.01%). Nashua's median is +38.46% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bedford spans $60,753,Nashua spans $83,235. Nashua has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Bedford
P10 (Entry)$36,327
P25$49,837
Median$62,632
P75$80,169
P90 (Top)$97,080
Nashua
P10 (Entry)$49,769
P25$61,783
Median$85,809
P75$109,835
P90 (Top)$133,004

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashua ($79,971 effective) pays 37.01% more than Bedford ($58,371 effective).

Bedford
Nominal: $62,632
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $58,371
Nashua
Nominal: $85,809
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $79,971

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bedford if…

  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Nashua if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,809/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,004)
  • Larger job market (21 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,971)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Bedford grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 45.5% growth in Nashua over the same period.

Bedford, NH

+12.4%

$52,551 (2024) → $59,070 (2025)

Nashua, NH

+45.5%

$55,629 (2024) → $80,929 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Bedford or Nashua?

Nashua has a higher median massage therapist salary at $85,809/year, compared to Bedford at $62,632/year — a difference of $23,177 (37.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bedford and Nashua?

Bedford massage therapists earn $30.11/hr while Nashua hygienists earn $41.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bedford to Nashua as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bedford and Nashua. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bedford = $58,371, Nashua = $79,971), job availability (6 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Bedford vs Nashua?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $36,327 in Bedford and $49,769 in Nashua. The Nashua 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