Massage Therapist Pay

Durant vs Tulsa: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Durant, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Durant, OK
$51,580
$24.80/hr
Tulsa, OK
$39,761
$19.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDurant, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$51,580$39,761
Hourly Rate$24.80$19.12
Entry Level (P10)$33,621$26,465
25th Percentile$40,660$31,099
75th Percentile$65,960$52,548
Top Earner (P90)$79,950$107,949
Total Employed5170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Durant ($51,580) and Tulsa ($39,761) massage therapist salaries.DurantTulsaMedian Salary$51,580$39,761Entry Level (P10)$33,621$26,465Top Earner (P90)$79,950$107,949US Median $61,975

Verdict

Durant and Tulsa are closely matched on overall massage therapist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Durant and Tulsa is $11,819 (29.73%). Durant's median is -16.77% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Durant spans $46,329,Tulsa spans $81,484. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Durant
P10 (Entry)$33,621
P25$40,660
Median$51,580
P75$65,960
P90 (Top)$79,950
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$26,465
P25$31,099
Median$39,761
P75$52,548
P90 (Top)$107,949

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Durant ($58,020 effective) pays 30.18% more than Tulsa ($44,568 effective).

Durant
Nominal: $51,580
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $58,020
Tulsa
Nominal: $39,761
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $44,568

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Durant if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,580/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,020)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($107,949)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Durant grew 46.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 4.3% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Durant, OK

+46.1%

$33,291 (2024) → $48,647 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+4.3%

$35,940 (2020) → $37,500 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Durant or Tulsa?

Durant has a higher median massage therapist salary at $51,580/year, compared to Tulsa at $39,761/year — a difference of $11,819 (29.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Durant and Tulsa?

Durant massage therapists earn $24.80/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $19.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Durant to Tulsa as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Durant and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Durant = $58,020, Tulsa = $44,568), job availability (5 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Durant vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $33,621 in Durant and $26,465 in Tulsa. The Durant 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