Massage Therapist Pay

Blaine vs St. Paul: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Blaine, MN and St. Paul, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Blaine, MN
$59,276
$28.50/hr
St. Paul, MN
$79,081
$38.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBlaine, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$59,276$79,081
Hourly Rate$28.50$38.02
Entry Level (P10)$34,886$45,868
25th Percentile$44,228$58,428
75th Percentile$75,873$101,225
Top Earner (P90)$91,878$122,576
Total Employed1880
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Blaine ($59,276) and St. Paul ($79,081) massage therapist salaries.BlaineSt. PaulMedian Salary$59,276$79,081Entry Level (P10)$34,886$45,868Top Earner (P90)$91,878$122,576US Median $61,975

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Blaine.

The salary gap between Blaine and St. Paul is $19,805 (33.41%). St. Paul's median is +27.60% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Blaine spans $56,992,St. Paul spans $76,708. St. Paul has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Blaine
P10 (Entry)$34,886
P25$44,228
Median$59,276
P75$75,873
P90 (Top)$91,878
St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$45,868
P25$58,428
Median$79,081
P75$101,225
P90 (Top)$122,576

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($80,285 effective) pays 33.41% more than Blaine ($60,179 effective).

Blaine
Nominal: $59,276
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $60,179
St. Paul
Nominal: $79,081
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $80,285

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Blaine if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,081/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($122,576)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,285)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Blaine grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.1% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Blaine, MN

+12.4%

$49,736 (2024) → $55,905 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+40.1%

$53,241 (2024) → $74,584 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Blaine or St. Paul?

St. Paul has a higher median massage therapist salary at $79,081/year, compared to Blaine at $59,276/year — a difference of $19,805 (33.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Blaine and St. Paul?

Blaine massage therapists earn $28.50/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $38.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Blaine to St. Paul as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Blaine and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Blaine = $60,179, St. Paul = $80,285), job availability (18 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Blaine vs St. Paul?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $34,886 in Blaine and $45,868 in St. Paul. The St. Paul 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