Massage Therapist Pay

Haverhill vs Worcester: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Haverhill, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Haverhill, MA
$62,215
$29.91/hr
Worcester, MA
$52,591
$25.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHaverhill, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$62,215$52,591
Hourly Rate$29.91$25.29
Entry Level (P10)$36,085$34,226
25th Percentile$45,101$49,961
75th Percentile$79,636$69,375
Top Earner (P90)$96,433$87,570
Total Employed16250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Haverhill ($62,215) and Worcester ($52,591) massage therapist salaries.HaverhillWorcesterMedian Salary$62,215$52,591Entry Level (P10)$36,085$34,226Top Earner (P90)$96,433$87,570US Median $61,975

Verdict

Haverhill, MA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Worcester.

The salary gap between Haverhill and Worcester is $9,624 (18.30%). Haverhill'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 Haverhill spans $60,348,Worcester spans $53,344. Haverhill has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Haverhill
P10 (Entry)$36,085
P25$45,101
Median$62,215
P75$79,636
P90 (Top)$96,433
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$34,226
P25$49,961
Median$52,591
P75$69,375
P90 (Top)$87,570

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Haverhill ($57,341 effective) pays 11.78% more than Worcester ($51,297 effective).

Haverhill
Nominal: $62,215
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $57,341
Worcester
Nominal: $52,591
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $51,297

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Haverhill if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,215/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,433)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,341)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Haverhill grew -10.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.6% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Haverhill, MA

+-10.1%

$65,297 (2024) → $58,677 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+33.6%

$37,120 (2019) → $49,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Haverhill or Worcester?

Haverhill has a higher median massage therapist salary at $62,215/year, compared to Worcester at $52,591/year — a difference of $9,624 (18.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Haverhill and Worcester?

Haverhill massage therapists earn $29.91/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $25.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Haverhill to Worcester as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Haverhill and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Haverhill = $57,341, Worcester = $51,297), job availability (16 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Haverhill vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $36,085 in Haverhill and $34,226 in Worcester. The Haverhill 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