Massage Therapist Pay

Collierville vs Nashville: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Collierville, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Collierville, TN
$51,040
$24.54/hr
Nashville, TN
$55,284
$26.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollierville, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$51,040$55,284
Hourly Rate$24.54$26.58
Entry Level (P10)$29,603$43,038
25th Percentile$36,950$52,559
75th Percentile$65,330$77,476
Top Earner (P90)$79,111$101,333
Total Employed8530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Collierville ($51,040) and Nashville ($55,284) massage therapist salaries.ColliervilleNashvilleMedian Salary$51,040$55,284Entry Level (P10)$29,603$43,038Top Earner (P90)$79,111$101,333US Median $61,975

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Collierville.

The salary gap between Collierville and Nashville is $4,244 (8.32%). Nashville's median is -10.80% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Collierville spans $49,508,Nashville spans $58,295. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Collierville
P10 (Entry)$29,603
P25$36,950
Median$51,040
P75$65,330
P90 (Top)$79,111
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$43,038
P25$52,559
Median$55,284
P75$77,476
P90 (Top)$101,333

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($57,385 effective) pays 3.21% more than Collierville ($55,599 effective).

Collierville
Nominal: $51,040
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $55,599
Nashville
Nominal: $55,284
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $57,385

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Collierville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,284/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,333)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,385)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Collierville grew 24.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.4% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Collierville, TN

+24.6%

$38,642 (2024) → $48,137 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+20.4%

$43,290 (2019) → $52,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Collierville or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median massage therapist salary at $55,284/year, compared to Collierville at $51,040/year — a difference of $4,244 (8.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Collierville and Nashville?

Collierville massage therapists earn $24.54/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $26.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Collierville to Nashville as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Collierville and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Collierville = $55,599, Nashville = $57,385), job availability (8 vs 530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Collierville vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $29,603 in Collierville and $43,038 in Nashville. The Nashville 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