Massage Therapist Pay

Davenport vs North Liberty: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Davenport, IA and North Liberty, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$66,163
$31.81/hr
North Liberty, IA
$52,835
$25.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IANorth Liberty, IA
Median Salary$66,163$52,835
Hourly Rate$31.81$25.40
Entry Level (P10)$34,947$30,644
25th Percentile$44,586$42,126
75th Percentile$66,173$67,628
Top Earner (P90)$80,996$81,894
Total Employed1006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($66,163) and North Liberty ($52,835) massage therapist salaries.DavenportNorth LibertyMedian Salary$66,163$52,835Entry Level (P10)$34,947$30,644Top Earner (P90)$80,996$81,894US Median $61,975

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Liberty.

The salary gap between Davenport and North Liberty is $13,328 (25.23%). Davenport's median is +6.76% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $46,049,North Liberty spans $51,250. North Liberty has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$34,947
P25$44,586
Median$66,163
P75$66,173
P90 (Top)$80,996
North Liberty
P10 (Entry)$30,644
P25$42,126
Median$52,835
P75$67,628
P90 (Top)$81,894

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($74,275 effective) pays 27.08% more than North Liberty ($58,446 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $66,163
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $74,275
North Liberty
Nominal: $52,835
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $58,446

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,163/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,275)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose North Liberty if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($81,894)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Davenport grew 97.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.8% growth in North Liberty over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+97.3%

$31,630 (2019) → $62,400 (2025)

North Liberty, IA

+21.8%

$40,921 (2024) → $49,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Davenport or North Liberty?

Davenport has a higher median massage therapist salary at $66,163/year, compared to North Liberty at $52,835/year — a difference of $13,328 (25.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and North Liberty?

Davenport massage therapists earn $31.81/hr while North Liberty hygienists earn $25.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to North Liberty as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and North Liberty. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $74,275, North Liberty = $58,446), job availability (100 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Davenport vs North Liberty?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $34,947 in Davenport and $30,644 in North Liberty. The Davenport 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