Massage Therapist Pay

Duluth vs St. Louis Park: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Duluth, MN
$63,141
$30.36/hr
St. Louis Park, MN
$58,794
$28.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNSt. Louis Park, MN
Median Salary$63,141$58,794
Hourly Rate$30.36$28.27
Entry Level (P10)$46,791$35,075
25th Percentile$56,641$44,100
75th Percentile$91,631$75,256
Top Earner (P90)$91,631$91,131
Total Employed909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($63,141) and St. Louis Park ($58,794) massage therapist salaries.DuluthSt. Louis ParkMedian Salary$63,141$58,794Entry Level (P10)$46,791$35,075Top Earner (P90)$91,631$91,131US Median $61,975

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Louis Park.

The salary gap between Duluth and St. Louis Park is $4,347 (7.39%). 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,St. Louis Park spans $56,056. St. Louis Park 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
St. Louis Park
P10 (Entry)$35,075
P25$44,100
Median$58,794
P75$75,256
P90 (Top)$91,131

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($71,130 effective) pays 19.17% more than St. Louis Park ($59,689 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $63,141
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $71,130
St. Louis Park
Nominal: $58,794
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $59,689

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,631)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,130)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis Park if…

  • 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 St. Louis Park over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+16.6%

$51,060 (2019) → $59,550 (2025)

St. Louis Park, MN

+12.4%

$49,332 (2024) → $55,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Duluth or St. Louis Park?

Duluth has a higher median massage therapist salary at $63,141/year, compared to St. Louis Park at $58,794/year — a difference of $4,347 (7.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and St. Louis Park?

Duluth massage therapists earn $30.36/hr while St. Louis Park hygienists earn $28.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to St. Louis Park as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and St. Louis Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $71,130, St. Louis Park = $59,689), job availability (90 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Duluth vs St. Louis Park?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $46,791 in Duluth and $35,075 in St. Louis Park. 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