Massage Therapist Pay

Granger vs Indianapolis: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Granger, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Granger, IN
$54,412
$26.16/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$60,278
$28.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGranger, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$54,412$60,278
Hourly Rate$26.16$28.98
Entry Level (P10)$33,710$41,998
25th Percentile$41,737$51,170
75th Percentile$69,648$79,607
Top Earner (P90)$84,339$92,034
Total Employed7660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Granger ($54,412) and Indianapolis ($60,278) massage therapist salaries.GrangerIndianapolisMedian Salary$54,412$60,278Entry Level (P10)$33,710$41,998Top Earner (P90)$84,339$92,034US Median $61,975

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Granger.

The salary gap between Granger and Indianapolis is $5,866 (10.78%). Indianapolis's median is -2.74% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Granger spans $50,629,Indianapolis spans $50,036. Granger has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Granger
P10 (Entry)$33,710
P25$41,737
Median$54,412
P75$69,648
P90 (Top)$84,339
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$41,998
P25$51,170
Median$60,278
P75$79,607
P90 (Top)$92,034

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($62,989 effective) pays 5.69% more than Granger ($59,597 effective).

Granger
Nominal: $54,412
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $59,597
Indianapolis
Nominal: $60,278
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $62,989

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Granger if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,278/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,034)
  • Larger job market (660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,989)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Granger grew 33.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 42.4% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Granger, IN

+33.2%

$38,523 (2024) → $51,318 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+42.4%

$39,930 (2019) → $56,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Granger or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median massage therapist salary at $60,278/year, compared to Granger at $54,412/year — a difference of $5,866 (10.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Granger and Indianapolis?

Granger massage therapists earn $26.16/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $28.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Granger to Indianapolis as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Granger and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Granger = $59,597, Indianapolis = $62,989), job availability (7 vs 660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Granger vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $33,710 in Granger and $41,998 in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 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