Massage Therapist Pay

Irvington vs Jersey City: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Irvington, NJ and Jersey City, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Irvington, NJ
$71,152
$34.21/hr
Jersey City, NJ
$54,572
$26.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIrvington, NJJersey City, NJ
Median Salary$71,152$54,572
Hourly Rate$34.21$26.23
Entry Level (P10)$41,268$31,651
25th Percentile$53,738$39,292
75th Percentile$91,076$69,852
Top Earner (P90)$110,286$84,585
Total Employed1042
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Irvington ($71,152) and Jersey City ($54,572) massage therapist salaries.IrvingtonJersey CityMedian Salary$71,152$54,572Entry Level (P10)$41,268$31,651Top Earner (P90)$110,286$84,585US Median $61,975

Verdict

Irvington, NJ offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jersey City.

The salary gap between Irvington and Jersey City is $16,580 (30.38%). Irvington's median is +14.81% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Irvington spans $69,018,Jersey City spans $52,934. Irvington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Irvington
P10 (Entry)$41,268
P25$53,738
Median$71,152
P75$91,076
P90 (Top)$110,286
Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$31,651
P25$39,292
Median$54,572
P75$69,852
P90 (Top)$84,585

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Irvington ($61,764 effective) pays 30.38% more than Jersey City ($47,372 effective).

Irvington
Nominal: $71,152
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $61,764
Jersey City
Nominal: $54,572
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $47,372

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Irvington if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,152/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,286)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,764)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Irvington grew 12.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -18.0% growth in Jersey City over the same period.

Irvington, NJ

+12.4%

$59,701 (2024) → $67,106 (2025)

Jersey City, NJ

+-18.0%

$62,760 (2024) → $51,468 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Irvington or Jersey City?

Irvington has a higher median massage therapist salary at $71,152/year, compared to Jersey City at $54,572/year — a difference of $16,580 (30.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Irvington and Jersey City?

Irvington massage therapists earn $34.21/hr while Jersey City hygienists earn $26.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Irvington to Jersey City as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Irvington and Jersey City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Irvington = $61,764, Jersey City = $47,372), job availability (10 vs 42 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Irvington vs Jersey City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $41,268 in Irvington and $31,651 in Jersey City. The Irvington 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