Massage Therapist Pay

Houston vs Round Rock: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$62,717
$30.15/hr
Round Rock, TX
$64,554
$31.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXRound Rock, TX
Median Salary$62,717$64,554
Hourly Rate$30.15$31.03
Entry Level (P10)$37,079$37,441
25th Percentile$53,778$46,479
75th Percentile$77,964$82,629
Top Earner (P90)$117,736$100,059
Total Employed1,93026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($62,717) and Round Rock ($64,554) massage therapist salaries.HoustonRound RockMedian Salary$62,717$64,554Entry Level (P10)$37,079$37,441Top Earner (P90)$117,736$100,059US Median $61,975

Verdict

Houston and Round Rock are closely matched on overall massage therapist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Houston and Round Rock is $1,837 (2.93%). Round Rock's median is +4.16% 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,Round Rock spans $62,618. 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
Round Rock
P10 (Entry)$37,441
P25$46,479
Median$64,554
P75$82,629
P90 (Top)$100,059

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Round Rock ($67,244 effective) pays 5.75% more than Houston ($63,589 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $62,717
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $63,589
Round Rock
Nominal: $64,554
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $67,244

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($117,736)
  • Larger job market (1,930 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Round Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,554/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,244)
  • 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 41.7% growth in Round Rock over the same period.

Houston, TX

+59.2%

$37,150 (2019) → $59,150 (2025)

Round Rock, TX

+41.7%

$42,961 (2024) → $60,883 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Houston or Round Rock?

Round Rock has a higher median massage therapist salary at $64,554/year, compared to Houston at $62,717/year — a difference of $1,837 (2.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Round Rock?

Houston massage therapists earn $30.15/hr while Round Rock hygienists earn $31.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Round Rock as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Round Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $63,589, Round Rock = $67,244), job availability (1,930 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $37,079 in Houston and $37,441 in Round Rock. The Round Rock 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