Massage Therapist Pay

East Providence vs Pawtucket: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between East Providence, RI and Pawtucket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Providence, RI
$61,737
$29.68/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$62,216
$29.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Providence, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$61,737$62,216
Hourly Rate$29.68$29.91
Entry Level (P10)$36,480$36,085
25th Percentile$46,098$44,796
75th Percentile$79,023$79,637
Top Earner (P90)$95,692$96,435
Total Employed1016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Providence ($61,737) and Pawtucket ($62,216) massage therapist salaries.East ProvidencePawtucketMedian Salary$61,737$62,216Entry Level (P10)$36,480$36,085Top Earner (P90)$95,692$96,435US Median $61,975

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to East Providence.

The salary gap between East Providence and Pawtucket is $479 (0.78%). Pawtucket's median is +0.39% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Providence spans $59,212,Pawtucket spans $60,350. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

East Providence
P10 (Entry)$36,480
P25$46,098
Median$61,737
P75$79,023
P90 (Top)$95,692
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$36,085
P25$44,796
Median$62,216
P75$79,637
P90 (Top)$96,435

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($61,906 effective) pays 0.78% more than East Providence ($61,430 effective).

East Providence
Nominal: $61,737
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $61,430
Pawtucket
Nominal: $62,216
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $61,906

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Providence if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,216/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,435)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,906)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in East Providence grew 21.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.8% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

East Providence, RI

+21.8%

$47,817 (2024) → $58,226 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+21.8%

$48,187 (2024) → $58,678 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: East Providence or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median massage therapist salary at $62,216/year, compared to East Providence at $61,737/year — a difference of $479 (0.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Providence and Pawtucket?

East Providence massage therapists earn $29.68/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $29.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Providence to Pawtucket as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Providence and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Providence = $61,430, Pawtucket = $61,906), job availability (10 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in East Providence vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $36,480 in East Providence and $36,085 in Pawtucket. The East Providence 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