Massage Therapist Pay

Cleveland vs North Olmsted: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Cleveland, OH and North Olmsted, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$58,073
$27.92/hr
North Olmsted, OH
$57,512
$27.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHNorth Olmsted, OH
Median Salary$58,073$57,512
Hourly Rate$27.92$27.65
Entry Level (P10)$40,970$33,357
25th Percentile$50,290$42,040
75th Percentile$63,279$73,615
Top Earner (P90)$80,021$89,144
Total Employed3508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($58,073) and North Olmsted ($57,512) massage therapist salaries.ClevelandNorth OlmstedMedian Salary$58,073$57,512Entry Level (P10)$40,970$33,357Top Earner (P90)$80,021$89,144US Median $61,975

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Olmsted.

The salary gap between Cleveland and North Olmsted is $561 (0.98%). Cleveland's median is -6.30% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $39,051,North Olmsted spans $55,787. North Olmsted has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$40,970
P25$50,290
Median$58,073
P75$63,279
P90 (Top)$80,021
North Olmsted
P10 (Entry)$33,357
P25$42,040
Median$57,512
P75$73,615
P90 (Top)$89,144

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, North Olmsted ($63,409 effective) pays 2.55% more than Cleveland ($61,830 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $58,073
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $61,830
North Olmsted
Nominal: $57,512
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $63,409

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,073/year)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose North Olmsted if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,144)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,409)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Cleveland grew 35.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.9% growth in North Olmsted over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+35.1%

$40,550 (2019) → $54,770 (2025)

North Olmsted, OH

+38.9%

$39,059 (2024) → $54,241 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Cleveland or North Olmsted?

Cleveland has a higher median massage therapist salary at $58,073/year, compared to North Olmsted at $57,512/year — a difference of $561 (0.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and North Olmsted?

Cleveland massage therapists earn $27.92/hr while North Olmsted hygienists earn $27.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to North Olmsted as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and North Olmsted. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $61,830, North Olmsted = $63,409), job availability (350 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Cleveland vs North Olmsted?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $40,970 in Cleveland and $33,357 in North Olmsted. The Cleveland 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