Massage Therapist Pay

Huntsville vs Phenix City: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Huntsville, AL and Phenix City, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$52,389
$25.18/hr
Phenix City, AL
$51,630
$24.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALPhenix City, AL
Median Salary$52,389$51,630
Hourly Rate$25.18$24.82
Entry Level (P10)$24,853$32,415
25th Percentile$52,389$40,080
75th Percentile$89,988$66,086
Top Earner (P90)$103,411$80,027
Total Employed707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($52,389) and Phenix City ($51,630) massage therapist salaries.HuntsvillePhenix CityMedian Salary$52,389$51,630Entry Level (P10)$24,853$32,415Top Earner (P90)$103,411$80,027US Median $61,975

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Phenix City.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Phenix City is $759 (1.47%). Huntsville's median is -15.47% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $78,558,Phenix City spans $47,612. Huntsville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$24,853
P25$52,389
Median$52,389
P75$89,988
P90 (Top)$103,411
Phenix City
P10 (Entry)$32,415
P25$40,080
Median$51,630
P75$66,086
P90 (Top)$80,027

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phenix City ($58,737 effective) pays 4.35% more than Huntsville ($56,289 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $52,389
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $56,289
Phenix City
Nominal: $51,630
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $58,737

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,389/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,411)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Phenix City if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,737)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Huntsville grew 67.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 48.2% growth in Phenix City over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+67.2%

$29,550 (2021) → $49,410 (2025)

Phenix City, AL

+48.2%

$32,868 (2024) → $48,694 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Huntsville or Phenix City?

Huntsville has a higher median massage therapist salary at $52,389/year, compared to Phenix City at $51,630/year — a difference of $759 (1.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Phenix City?

Huntsville massage therapists earn $25.18/hr while Phenix City hygienists earn $24.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Phenix City as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Phenix City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $56,289, Phenix City = $58,737), job availability (70 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Huntsville vs Phenix City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $24,853 in Huntsville and $32,415 in Phenix City. The Phenix City 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