Massage Therapist Pay

Charlottesville vs Leesburg: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Charlottesville, VA and Leesburg, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlottesville, VA
$61,975
$29.79/hr
Leesburg, VA
$61,923
$29.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlottesville, VALeesburg, VA
Median Salary$61,975$61,923
Hourly Rate$29.79$29.77
Entry Level (P10)$39,655$35,916
25th Percentile$55,030$45,988
75th Percentile$99,244$79,261
Top Earner (P90)$138,708$95,980
Total Employed10014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlottesville ($61,975) and Leesburg ($61,923) massage therapist salaries.CharlottesvilleLeesburgMedian Salary$61,975$61,923Entry Level (P10)$39,655$35,916Top Earner (P90)$138,708$95,980US Median $61,975

Verdict

Charlottesville, VA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Leesburg.

The salary gap between Charlottesville and Leesburg is $52 (0.08%). Charlottesville's median is +0.00% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlottesville spans $99,053,Leesburg spans $60,064. Charlottesville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlottesville
P10 (Entry)$39,655
P25$55,030
Median$61,975
P75$99,244
P90 (Top)$138,708
Leesburg
P10 (Entry)$35,916
P25$45,988
Median$61,923
P75$79,261
P90 (Top)$95,980

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlottesville ($62,509 effective) pays 4.18% more than Leesburg ($60,003 effective).

Charlottesville
Nominal: $61,975
CoL Index: 99.146
Adjusted: $62,509
Leesburg
Nominal: $61,923
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $60,003

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlottesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,975/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($138,708)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,509)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Leesburg if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Charlottesville grew 31.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.1% growth in Leesburg over the same period.

Charlottesville, VA

+31.0%

$44,630 (2019) → $58,450 (2025)

Leesburg, VA

+27.1%

$45,961 (2024) → $58,401 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Charlottesville or Leesburg?

Charlottesville has a higher median massage therapist salary at $61,975/year, compared to Leesburg at $61,923/year — a difference of $52 (0.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlottesville and Leesburg?

Charlottesville massage therapists earn $29.79/hr while Leesburg hygienists earn $29.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlottesville to Leesburg as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlottesville and Leesburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlottesville = $62,509, Leesburg = $60,003), job availability (100 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Charlottesville vs Leesburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $39,655 in Charlottesville and $35,916 in Leesburg. The Charlottesville 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