Massage Therapist Pay

Brattleboro vs Burlington: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Brattleboro, VT and Burlington, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brattleboro, VT
$51,935
$24.97/hr
Burlington, VT
$52,605
$25.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrattleboro, VTBurlington, VT
Median Salary$51,935$52,605
Hourly Rate$24.97$25.29
Entry Level (P10)$30,486$32,430
25th Percentile$38,492$40,396
75th Percentile$66,477$67,334
Top Earner (P90)$80,499$81,537
Total Employed610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brattleboro ($51,935) and Burlington ($52,605) massage therapist salaries.BrattleboroBurlingtonMedian Salary$51,935$52,605Entry Level (P10)$30,486$32,430Top Earner (P90)$80,499$81,537US Median $61,975

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brattleboro.

The salary gap between Brattleboro and Burlington is $670 (1.29%). Burlington's median is -15.12% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brattleboro spans $50,013,Burlington spans $49,107. Brattleboro has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brattleboro
P10 (Entry)$30,486
P25$38,492
Median$51,935
P75$66,477
P90 (Top)$80,499
Burlington
P10 (Entry)$32,430
P25$40,396
Median$52,605
P75$67,334
P90 (Top)$81,537

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($50,826 effective) pays 1.29% more than Brattleboro ($50,179 effective).

Brattleboro
Nominal: $51,935
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $50,179
Burlington
Nominal: $52,605
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $50,826

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brattleboro if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,605/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,537)
  • Larger job market (10 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,826)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Brattleboro grew -0.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.4% growth in Burlington over the same period.

Brattleboro, VT

+-0.1%

$49,028 (2024) → $48,981 (2025)

Burlington, VT

+27.4%

$38,950 (2019) → $49,613 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Brattleboro or Burlington?

Burlington has a higher median massage therapist salary at $52,605/year, compared to Brattleboro at $51,935/year — a difference of $670 (1.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brattleboro and Burlington?

Brattleboro massage therapists earn $24.97/hr while Burlington hygienists earn $25.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brattleboro to Burlington as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brattleboro and Burlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brattleboro = $50,179, Burlington = $50,826), job availability (6 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Brattleboro vs Burlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $30,486 in Brattleboro and $32,430 in Burlington. The Burlington area offers higher starting salaries.
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