Massage Therapist Pay

Hialeah vs Tampa: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Hialeah, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hialeah, FL
$55,786
$26.81/hr
Tampa, FL
$54,574
$26.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHialeah, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$55,786$54,574
Hourly Rate$26.81$26.24
Entry Level (P10)$32,356$33,558
25th Percentile$40,165$48,954
75th Percentile$71,406$62,282
Top Earner (P90)$86,467$74,984
Total Employed351,530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hialeah ($55,786) and Tampa ($54,574) massage therapist salaries.HialeahTampaMedian Salary$55,786$54,574Entry Level (P10)$32,356$33,558Top Earner (P90)$86,467$74,984US Median $61,975

Verdict

Hialeah, FL offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tampa.

The salary gap between Hialeah and Tampa is $1,212 (2.22%). Hialeah's median is -9.99% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hialeah spans $54,111,Tampa spans $41,426. Hialeah has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Hialeah
P10 (Entry)$32,356
P25$40,165
Median$55,786
P75$71,406
P90 (Top)$86,467
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$33,558
P25$48,954
Median$54,574
P75$62,282
P90 (Top)$74,984

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hialeah ($55,343 effective) pays 2.31% more than Tampa ($54,093 effective).

Hialeah
Nominal: $55,786
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $55,343
Tampa
Nominal: $54,574
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $54,093

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hialeah if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,786/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,467)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,343)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Larger job market (1,530 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Hialeah grew 12.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 49.2% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Hialeah, FL

+12.8%

$46,660 (2024) → $52,613 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+49.2%

$34,490 (2019) → $51,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Hialeah or Tampa?

Hialeah has a higher median massage therapist salary at $55,786/year, compared to Tampa at $54,574/year — a difference of $1,212 (2.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hialeah and Tampa?

Hialeah massage therapists earn $26.81/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $26.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hialeah to Tampa as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hialeah and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hialeah = $55,343, Tampa = $54,093), job availability (35 vs 1,530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Hialeah vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $32,356 in Hialeah and $33,558 in Tampa. The Tampa 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