Massage Therapist Pay

Brunswick vs Columbus: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Brunswick, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brunswick, OH
$56,865
$27.33/hr
Columbus, OH
$61,052
$29.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrunswick, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$56,865$61,052
Hourly Rate$27.33$29.35
Entry Level (P10)$36,017$43,144
25th Percentile$44,244$50,428
75th Percentile$72,787$64,551
Top Earner (P90)$88,141$81,675
Total Employed6390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brunswick ($56,865) and Columbus ($61,052) massage therapist salaries.BrunswickColumbusMedian Salary$56,865$61,052Entry Level (P10)$36,017$43,144Top Earner (P90)$88,141$81,675US Median $61,975

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brunswick.

The salary gap between Brunswick and Columbus is $4,187 (7.36%). Columbus's median is -1.49% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brunswick spans $52,124,Columbus spans $38,531. Brunswick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$36,017
P25$44,244
Median$56,865
P75$72,787
P90 (Top)$88,141
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$43,144
P25$50,428
Median$61,052
P75$64,551
P90 (Top)$81,675

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($63,950 effective) pays 2.00% more than Brunswick ($62,696 effective).

Brunswick
Nominal: $56,865
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $62,696
Columbus
Nominal: $61,052
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $63,950

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brunswick if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,141)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,052/year)
  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,950)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Brunswick grew 38.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 41.4% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Brunswick, OH

+38.9%

$38,619 (2024) → $53,631 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+41.4%

$40,730 (2019) → $57,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Brunswick or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median massage therapist salary at $61,052/year, compared to Brunswick at $56,865/year — a difference of $4,187 (7.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brunswick and Columbus?

Brunswick massage therapists earn $27.33/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $29.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brunswick to Columbus as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brunswick and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brunswick = $62,696, Columbus = $63,950), job availability (6 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Brunswick vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $36,017 in Brunswick and $43,144 in Columbus. The Columbus 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