Massage Therapist Pay

Houston vs Kyle: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Houston, TX and Kyle, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$62,717
$30.15/hr
Kyle, TX
$58,788
$28.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXKyle, TX
Median Salary$62,717$58,788
Hourly Rate$30.15$28.27
Entry Level (P10)$37,079$35,983
25th Percentile$53,778$44,903
75th Percentile$77,964$75,249
Top Earner (P90)$117,736$91,122
Total Employed1,93013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($62,717) and Kyle ($58,788) massage therapist salaries.HoustonKyleMedian Salary$62,717$58,788Entry Level (P10)$37,079$35,983Top Earner (P90)$117,736$91,122US Median $61,975

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kyle.

The salary gap between Houston and Kyle is $3,929 (6.68%). Houston's median is +1.20% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $80,657,Kyle spans $55,139. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$37,079
P25$53,778
Median$62,717
P75$77,964
P90 (Top)$117,736
Kyle
P10 (Entry)$35,983
P25$44,903
Median$58,788
P75$75,249
P90 (Top)$91,122

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($63,589 effective) pays 3.84% more than Kyle ($61,238 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $62,717
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $63,589
Kyle
Nominal: $58,788
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $61,238

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,717/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,736)
  • Larger job market (1,930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,589)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Kyle if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Houston grew 59.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Kyle over the same period.

Houston, TX

+59.2%

$37,150 (2019) → $59,150 (2025)

Kyle, TX

+33.2%

$41,632 (2024) → $55,445 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Houston or Kyle?

Houston has a higher median massage therapist salary at $62,717/year, compared to Kyle at $58,788/year — a difference of $3,929 (6.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Kyle?

Houston massage therapists earn $30.15/hr while Kyle hygienists earn $28.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Kyle as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Kyle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $63,589, Kyle = $61,238), job availability (1,930 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Houston vs Kyle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $37,079 in Houston and $35,983 in Kyle. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

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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