Massage Therapist Pay

Grand Rapids vs Holland: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Grand Rapids, MI and Holland, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Rapids, MI
$72,599
$34.91/hr
Holland, MI
$69,938
$33.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MIHolland, MI
Median Salary$72,599$69,938
Hourly Rate$34.91$33.62
Entry Level (P10)$28,745$42,637
25th Percentile$52,527$53,353
75th Percentile$81,230$89,521
Top Earner (P90)$87,761$108,405
Total Employed3505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($72,599) and Holland ($69,938) massage therapist salaries.Grand RapidsHollandMedian Salary$72,599$69,938Entry Level (P10)$28,745$42,637Top Earner (P90)$87,761$108,405US Median $61,975

Verdict

Grand Rapids, MI offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Holland.

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Holland is $2,661 (3.80%). Grand Rapids's median is +17.14% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grand Rapids spans $59,016,Holland spans $65,768. Holland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$28,745
P25$52,527
Median$72,599
P75$81,230
P90 (Top)$87,761
Holland
P10 (Entry)$42,637
P25$53,353
Median$69,938
P75$89,521
P90 (Top)$108,405

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Rapids ($75,983 effective) pays 1.26% more than Holland ($75,041 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $72,599
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $75,983
Holland
Nominal: $69,938
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $75,041

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,599/year)
  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,983)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Holland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,405)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Grand Rapids grew 49.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 68.3% growth in Holland over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+49.5%

$45,800 (2019) → $68,470 (2025)

Holland, MI

+68.3%

$39,187 (2024) → $65,961 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Grand Rapids or Holland?

Grand Rapids has a higher median massage therapist salary at $72,599/year, compared to Holland at $69,938/year — a difference of $2,661 (3.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and Holland?

Grand Rapids massage therapists earn $34.91/hr while Holland hygienists earn $33.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Rapids to Holland as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Holland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $75,983, Holland = $75,041), job availability (350 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Grand Rapids vs Holland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $28,745 in Grand Rapids and $42,637 in Holland. The Holland 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