Massage Therapist Pay

Duluth vs Maple Grove: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Duluth, MN and Maple Grove, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$63,141
$30.36/hr
Maple Grove, MN
$61,873
$29.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNMaple Grove, MN
Median Salary$63,141$61,873
Hourly Rate$30.36$29.74
Entry Level (P10)$46,791$35,886
25th Percentile$56,641$45,643
75th Percentile$91,631$79,197
Top Earner (P90)$91,631$95,903
Total Employed9014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($63,141) and Maple Grove ($61,873) massage therapist salaries.DuluthMaple GroveMedian Salary$63,141$61,873Entry Level (P10)$46,791$35,886Top Earner (P90)$91,631$95,903US Median $61,975

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Maple Grove.

The salary gap between Duluth and Maple Grove is $1,268 (2.05%). Duluth's median is +1.88% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $44,840,Maple Grove spans $60,017. Maple Grove has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$46,791
P25$56,641
Median$63,141
P75$91,631
P90 (Top)$91,631
Maple Grove
P10 (Entry)$35,886
P25$45,643
Median$61,873
P75$79,197
P90 (Top)$95,903

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($71,130 effective) pays 13.24% more than Maple Grove ($62,815 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $63,141
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $71,130
Maple Grove
Nominal: $61,873
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $62,815

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,141/year)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,130)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Maple Grove if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($95,903)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Duluth grew 16.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.4% growth in Maple Grove over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+16.6%

$51,060 (2019) → $59,550 (2025)

Maple Grove, MN

+12.4%

$51,915 (2024) → $58,354 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Duluth or Maple Grove?

Duluth has a higher median massage therapist salary at $63,141/year, compared to Maple Grove at $61,873/year — a difference of $1,268 (2.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Maple Grove?

Duluth massage therapists earn $30.36/hr while Maple Grove hygienists earn $29.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Maple Grove as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Maple Grove. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $71,130, Maple Grove = $62,815), job availability (90 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Duluth vs Maple Grove?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $46,791 in Duluth and $35,886 in Maple Grove. The Duluth 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