Massage Therapist Pay

Duluth vs Ramsey: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Duluth, MN
$63,141
$30.36/hr
Ramsey, MN
$59,528
$28.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNRamsey, MN
Median Salary$63,141$59,528
Hourly Rate$30.36$28.62
Entry Level (P10)$46,791$34,527
25th Percentile$56,641$45,550
75th Percentile$91,631$76,196
Top Earner (P90)$91,631$92,269
Total Employed907
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($63,141) and Ramsey ($59,528) massage therapist salaries.DuluthRamseyMedian Salary$63,141$59,528Entry Level (P10)$46,791$34,527Top Earner (P90)$91,631$92,269US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Duluth and Ramsey is $3,613 (6.07%). 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,Ramsey spans $57,742. Ramsey 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
Ramsey
P10 (Entry)$34,527
P25$45,550
Median$59,528
P75$76,196
P90 (Top)$92,269

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($71,130 effective) pays 17.70% more than Ramsey ($60,435 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $63,141
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $71,130
Ramsey
Nominal: $59,528
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $60,435

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 Ramsey if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($92,269)
  • 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 Ramsey over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+16.6%

$51,060 (2019) → $59,550 (2025)

Ramsey, MN

+12.4%

$49,948 (2024) → $56,143 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Duluth or Ramsey?

Duluth has a higher median massage therapist salary at $63,141/year, compared to Ramsey at $59,528/year — a difference of $3,613 (6.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Ramsey?

Duluth massage therapists earn $30.36/hr while Ramsey hygienists earn $28.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Ramsey as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Ramsey. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $71,130, Ramsey = $60,435), job availability (90 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $46,791 in Duluth and $34,527 in Ramsey. 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