Massage Therapist Pay

Lansing vs Romulus: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Lansing, MI and Romulus, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lansing, MI
$79,395
$38.17/hr
Romulus, MI
$67,681
$32.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIRomulus, MI
Median Salary$79,395$67,681
Hourly Rate$38.17$32.54
Entry Level (P10)$46,812$42,715
25th Percentile$62,123$52,334
75th Percentile$85,725$86,632
Top Earner (P90)$96,286$104,906
Total Employed1305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($79,395) and Romulus ($67,681) massage therapist salaries.LansingRomulusMedian Salary$79,395$67,681Entry Level (P10)$46,812$42,715Top Earner (P90)$96,286$104,906US Median $61,975

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Romulus.

The salary gap between Lansing and Romulus is $11,714 (17.31%). Lansing's median is +28.11% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $49,474,Romulus spans $62,191. Romulus has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$46,812
P25$62,123
Median$79,395
P75$85,725
P90 (Top)$96,286
Romulus
P10 (Entry)$42,715
P25$52,334
Median$67,681
P75$86,632
P90 (Top)$104,906

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($83,582 effective) pays 15.10% more than Romulus ($72,619 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $79,395
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $83,582
Romulus
Nominal: $67,681
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $72,619

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,395/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,582)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Romulus if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($104,906)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Lansing grew 43.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 68.3% growth in Romulus over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+43.3%

$52,240 (2019) → $74,880 (2025)

Romulus, MI

+68.3%

$37,923 (2024) → $63,832 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Lansing or Romulus?

Lansing has a higher median massage therapist salary at $79,395/year, compared to Romulus at $67,681/year — a difference of $11,714 (17.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Romulus?

Lansing massage therapists earn $38.17/hr while Romulus hygienists earn $32.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Romulus as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Romulus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $83,582, Romulus = $72,619), job availability (130 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Lansing vs Romulus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $46,812 in Lansing and $42,715 in Romulus. The Lansing 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