Massage Therapist Pay

Fort Wayne vs Jeffersonville: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Jeffersonville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$57,755
$27.77/hr
Jeffersonville, IN
$54,668
$26.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INJeffersonville, IN
Median Salary$57,755$54,668
Hourly Rate$27.77$26.28
Entry Level (P10)$40,440$34,287
25th Percentile$49,760$42,242
75th Percentile$76,882$69,976
Top Earner (P90)$84,008$84,735
Total Employed12011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($57,755) and Jeffersonville ($54,668) massage therapist salaries.Fort WayneJeffersonvilleMedian Salary$57,755$54,668Entry Level (P10)$40,440$34,287Top Earner (P90)$84,008$84,735US Median $61,975

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersonville.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Jeffersonville is $3,087 (5.65%). Fort Wayne's median is -6.81% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $43,568,Jeffersonville spans $50,448. Jeffersonville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$40,440
P25$49,760
Median$57,755
P75$76,882
P90 (Top)$84,008
Jeffersonville
P10 (Entry)$34,287
P25$42,242
Median$54,668
P75$69,976
P90 (Top)$84,735

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($62,389 effective) pays 4.20% more than Jeffersonville ($59,877 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $57,755
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $62,389
Jeffersonville
Nominal: $54,668
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $59,877

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,755/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,389)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Jeffersonville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,735)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Fort Wayne grew 27.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Jeffersonville over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+27.4%

$42,750 (2019) → $54,470 (2025)

Jeffersonville, IN

+33.2%

$38,703 (2024) → $51,559 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Fort Wayne or Jeffersonville?

Fort Wayne has a higher median massage therapist salary at $57,755/year, compared to Jeffersonville at $54,668/year — a difference of $3,087 (5.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Jeffersonville?

Fort Wayne massage therapists earn $27.77/hr while Jeffersonville hygienists earn $26.28/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Jeffersonville as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Jeffersonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $62,389, Jeffersonville = $59,877), job availability (120 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Fort Wayne vs Jeffersonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $40,440 in Fort Wayne and $34,287 in Jeffersonville. The Fort Wayne 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