Massage Therapist Pay

Boulder vs Windsor: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Boulder, CO and Windsor, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$76,204
$36.63/hr
Windsor, CO
$64,640
$31.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COWindsor, CO
Median Salary$76,204$64,640
Hourly Rate$36.63$31.08
Entry Level (P10)$58,412$37,522
25th Percentile$65,283$47,918
75th Percentile$109,889$82,739
Top Earner (P90)$132,548$100,192
Total Employed4206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($76,204) and Windsor ($64,640) massage therapist salaries.BoulderWindsorMedian Salary$76,204$64,640Entry Level (P10)$58,412$37,522Top Earner (P90)$132,548$100,192US Median $61,975

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Windsor.

The salary gap between Boulder and Windsor is $11,564 (17.89%). Boulder's median is +22.96% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $74,136,Windsor spans $62,670. Boulder has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$58,412
P25$65,283
Median$76,204
P75$109,889
P90 (Top)$132,548
Windsor
P10 (Entry)$37,522
P25$47,918
Median$64,640
P75$82,739
P90 (Top)$100,192

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($72,436 effective) pays 17.66% more than Windsor ($61,562 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $76,204
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $72,436
Windsor
Nominal: $64,640
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $61,562

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,204/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,548)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,436)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Windsor if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Boulder grew 47.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.1% growth in Windsor over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+47.2%

$48,840 (2019) → $71,870 (2025)

Windsor, CO

+-5.1%

$64,251 (2024) → $60,964 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Boulder or Windsor?

Boulder has a higher median massage therapist salary at $76,204/year, compared to Windsor at $64,640/year — a difference of $11,564 (17.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Windsor?

Boulder massage therapists earn $36.63/hr while Windsor hygienists earn $31.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Windsor as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Windsor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $72,436, Windsor = $61,562), job availability (420 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Boulder vs Windsor?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $58,412 in Boulder and $37,522 in Windsor. The Boulder 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