Massage Therapist Pay

Dallas vs Stephenville: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$62,568
$30.08/hr
Stephenville, TX
$55,757
$26.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXStephenville, TX
Median Salary$62,568$55,757
Hourly Rate$30.08$26.80
Entry Level (P10)$37,217$36,200
25th Percentile$53,863$43,849
75th Percentile$80,583$71,120
Top Earner (P90)$108,956$86,423
Total Employed2,9306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($62,568) and Stephenville ($55,757) massage therapist salaries.DallasStephenvilleMedian Salary$62,568$55,757Entry Level (P10)$37,217$36,200Top Earner (P90)$108,956$86,423US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Stephenville is $6,811 (12.22%). 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 Dallas spans $71,739,Stephenville spans $50,223. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$37,217
P25$53,863
Median$62,568
P75$80,583
P90 (Top)$108,956
Stephenville
P10 (Entry)$36,200
P25$43,849
Median$55,757
P75$71,120
P90 (Top)$86,423

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($60,693 effective) pays 4.50% more than Stephenville ($58,080 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $62,568
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $60,693
Stephenville
Nominal: $55,757
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $58,080

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,568/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,956)
  • Larger job market (2,930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,693)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Stephenville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Dallas grew 31.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Stephenville over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+31.3%

$44,940 (2019) → $59,010 (2025)

Stephenville, TX

+33.2%

$39,485 (2024) → $52,586 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Dallas or Stephenville?

Dallas has a higher median massage therapist salary at $62,568/year, compared to Stephenville at $55,757/year — a difference of $6,811 (12.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Stephenville?

Dallas massage therapists earn $30.08/hr while Stephenville hygienists earn $26.80/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Stephenville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $60,693, Stephenville = $58,080), job availability (2,930 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $37,217 in Dallas and $36,200 in Stephenville. 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