Massage Therapist Pay

Benbrook vs Houston: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Benbrook, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Benbrook, TX
$56,564
$27.20/hr
Houston, TX
$62,717
$30.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBenbrook, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$56,564$62,717
Hourly Rate$27.20$30.15
Entry Level (P10)$33,296$37,079
25th Percentile$41,990$53,778
75th Percentile$72,402$77,964
Top Earner (P90)$87,674$117,736
Total Employed61,930
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Benbrook ($56,564) and Houston ($62,717) massage therapist salaries.BenbrookHoustonMedian Salary$56,564$62,717Entry Level (P10)$33,296$37,079Top Earner (P90)$87,674$117,736US Median $61,975

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Benbrook.

The salary gap between Benbrook and Houston is $6,153 (10.88%). Houston's median is +1.20% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Benbrook spans $54,378,Houston spans $80,657. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Benbrook
P10 (Entry)$33,296
P25$41,990
Median$56,564
P75$72,402
P90 (Top)$87,674
Houston
P10 (Entry)$37,079
P25$53,778
Median$62,717
P75$77,964
P90 (Top)$117,736

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($63,589 effective) pays 7.92% more than Benbrook ($58,921 effective).

Benbrook
Nominal: $56,564
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $58,921
Houston
Nominal: $62,717
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $63,589

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Benbrook if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,717/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,736)
  • Larger job market (1,930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,589)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Benbrook grew 33.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 59.2% growth in Houston over the same period.

Benbrook, TX

+33.2%

$40,057 (2024) → $53,347 (2025)

Houston, TX

+59.2%

$37,150 (2019) → $59,150 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Benbrook or Houston?

Houston has a higher median massage therapist salary at $62,717/year, compared to Benbrook at $56,564/year — a difference of $6,153 (10.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Benbrook and Houston?

Benbrook massage therapists earn $27.20/hr while Houston hygienists earn $30.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Benbrook to Houston as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Benbrook and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Benbrook = $58,921, Houston = $63,589), job availability (6 vs 1,930 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Benbrook vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $33,296 in Benbrook and $37,079 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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