Massage Therapist Pay

Boston vs Framingham: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$79,692
$38.31/hr
Framingham, MA
$62,171
$29.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAFramingham, MA
Median Salary$79,692$62,171
Hourly Rate$38.31$29.89
Entry Level (P10)$49,230$36,059
25th Percentile$55,528$45,015
75th Percentile$109,211$79,579
Top Earner (P90)$111,024$96,364
Total Employed2,18017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($79,692) and Framingham ($62,171) massage therapist salaries.BostonFraminghamMedian Salary$79,692$62,171Entry Level (P10)$49,230$36,059Top Earner (P90)$111,024$96,364US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Framingham is $17,521 (28.18%). 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,Framingham spans $60,305. 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
Framingham
P10 (Entry)$36,059
P25$45,015
Median$62,171
P75$79,579
P90 (Top)$96,364

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($73,608 effective) pays 28.46% more than Framingham ($57,300 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $79,692
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $73,608
Framingham
Nominal: $62,171
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $57,300

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 Framingham 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 Framingham over the same period.

Boston, MA

+40.3%

$53,560 (2019) → $75,160 (2025)

Framingham, MA

+-10.1%

$65,251 (2024) → $58,635 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Boston or Framingham?

Boston has a higher median massage therapist salary at $79,692/year, compared to Framingham at $62,171/year — a difference of $17,521 (28.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Framingham?

Boston massage therapists earn $38.31/hr while Framingham hygienists earn $29.89/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Framingham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $73,608, Framingham = $57,300), job availability (2,180 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $49,230 in Boston and $36,059 in Framingham. 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