Massage Therapist Pay

Boston vs Woburn: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$79,692
$38.31/hr
Woburn, MA
$59,014
$28.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAWoburn, MA
Median Salary$79,692$59,014
Hourly Rate$38.31$28.37
Entry Level (P10)$49,230$35,805
25th Percentile$55,528$43,397
75th Percentile$109,211$75,538
Top Earner (P90)$111,024$91,472
Total Employed2,18010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($79,692) and Woburn ($59,014) massage therapist salaries.BostonWoburnMedian Salary$79,692$59,014Entry Level (P10)$49,230$35,805Top Earner (P90)$111,024$91,472US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Woburn is $20,678 (35.04%). 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,Woburn spans $55,667. 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
Woburn
P10 (Entry)$35,805
P25$43,397
Median$59,014
P75$75,538
P90 (Top)$91,472

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($73,608 effective) pays 35.33% more than Woburn ($54,391 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $79,692
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $73,608
Woburn
Nominal: $59,014
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $54,391

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 Woburn 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 Woburn over the same period.

Boston, MA

+40.3%

$53,560 (2019) → $75,160 (2025)

Woburn, MA

+-10.1%

$61,937 (2024) → $55,658 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Boston or Woburn?

Boston has a higher median massage therapist salary at $79,692/year, compared to Woburn at $59,014/year — a difference of $20,678 (35.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Woburn?

Boston massage therapists earn $38.31/hr while Woburn hygienists earn $28.37/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Woburn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $73,608, Woburn = $54,391), job availability (2,180 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $49,230 in Boston and $35,805 in Woburn. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

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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