Massage Therapist Pay

Boston vs Chicopee: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Boston, MA and Chicopee, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$79,692
$38.31/hr
Chicopee, MA
$61,715
$29.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAChicopee, MA
Median Salary$79,692$61,715
Hourly Rate$38.31$29.67
Entry Level (P10)$49,230$35,795
25th Percentile$55,528$44,435
75th Percentile$109,211$78,994
Top Earner (P90)$111,024$95,658
Total Employed2,18010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($79,692) and Chicopee ($61,715) massage therapist salaries.BostonChicopeeMedian Salary$79,692$61,715Entry Level (P10)$49,230$35,795Top Earner (P90)$111,024$95,658US Median $61,975

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chicopee.

The salary gap between Boston and Chicopee is $17,977 (29.13%). Boston's median is +28.59% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $61,794,Chicopee spans $59,863. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$49,230
P25$55,528
Median$79,692
P75$109,211
P90 (Top)$111,024
Chicopee
P10 (Entry)$35,795
P25$44,435
Median$61,715
P75$78,994
P90 (Top)$95,658

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($73,608 effective) pays 29.41% more than Chicopee ($56,880 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $79,692
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $73,608
Chicopee
Nominal: $61,715
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $56,880

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,692/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,024)
  • Larger job market (2,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,608)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Chicopee if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Boston grew 40.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.1% growth in Chicopee over the same period.

Boston, MA

+40.3%

$53,560 (2019) → $75,160 (2025)

Chicopee, MA

+-10.1%

$64,771 (2024) → $58,205 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Boston or Chicopee?

Boston has a higher median massage therapist salary at $79,692/year, compared to Chicopee at $61,715/year — a difference of $17,977 (29.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Chicopee?

Boston massage therapists earn $38.31/hr while Chicopee hygienists earn $29.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Chicopee as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Chicopee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $73,608, Chicopee = $56,880), job availability (2,180 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Boston vs Chicopee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $49,230 in Boston and $35,795 in Chicopee. The Boston 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