Massage Therapist Pay

Carrollton vs Dallas: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Carrollton, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carrollton, TX
$60,377
$29.03/hr
Dallas, TX
$62,568
$30.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrollton, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$60,377$62,568
Hourly Rate$29.03$30.08
Entry Level (P10)$35,019$37,217
25th Percentile$46,138$53,863
75th Percentile$77,282$80,583
Top Earner (P90)$93,584$108,956
Total Employed202,930
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrollton ($60,377) and Dallas ($62,568) massage therapist salaries.CarrolltonDallasMedian Salary$60,377$62,568Entry Level (P10)$35,019$37,217Top Earner (P90)$93,584$108,956US Median $61,975

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carrollton.

The salary gap between Carrollton and Dallas is $2,191 (3.63%). Dallas's median is +0.96% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrollton spans $58,565,Dallas spans $71,739. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Carrollton
P10 (Entry)$35,019
P25$46,138
Median$60,377
P75$77,282
P90 (Top)$93,584
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$37,217
P25$53,863
Median$62,568
P75$80,583
P90 (Top)$108,956

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Carrollton ($62,893 effective) pays 3.63% more than Dallas ($60,693 effective).

Carrollton
Nominal: $60,377
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $62,893
Dallas
Nominal: $62,568
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $60,693

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrollton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,893)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,568/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,956)
  • Larger job market (2,930 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Carrollton grew 33.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.3% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Carrollton, TX

+33.2%

$42,756 (2024) → $56,943 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+31.3%

$44,940 (2019) → $59,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Carrollton or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median massage therapist salary at $62,568/year, compared to Carrollton at $60,377/year — a difference of $2,191 (3.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrollton and Dallas?

Carrollton massage therapists earn $29.03/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $30.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carrollton to Dallas as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrollton and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrollton = $62,893, Dallas = $60,693), job availability (20 vs 2,930 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Carrollton vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $35,019 in Carrollton and $37,217 in Dallas. The Dallas 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