Massage Therapist Pay

Louisville vs Radcliff: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Louisville, KY and Radcliff, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Louisville, KY
$60,337
$29.01/hr
Radcliff, KY
$53,107
$25.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville, KYRadcliff, KY
Median Salary$60,337$53,107
Hourly Rate$29.01$25.53
Entry Level (P10)$34,995$32,347
25th Percentile$43,443$40,213
75th Percentile$77,232$67,977
Top Earner (P90)$93,523$82,316
Total Employed1324
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville ($60,337) and Radcliff ($53,107) massage therapist salaries.LouisvilleRadcliffMedian Salary$60,337$53,107Entry Level (P10)$34,995$32,347Top Earner (P90)$93,523$82,316US Median $61,975

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Radcliff.

The salary gap between Louisville and Radcliff is $7,230 (13.61%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville spans $58,528,Radcliff spans $49,969. Louisville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville
P10 (Entry)$34,995
P25$43,443
Median$60,337
P75$77,232
P90 (Top)$93,523
Radcliff
P10 (Entry)$32,347
P25$40,213
Median$53,107
P75$67,977
P90 (Top)$82,316

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($67,567 effective) pays 13.61% more than Radcliff ($59,470 effective).

Louisville
Nominal: $60,337
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $67,567
Radcliff
Nominal: $53,107
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $59,470

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,337/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,523)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,567)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Radcliff if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Louisville grew 39.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.2% growth in Radcliff over the same period.

Louisville, KY

+39.2%

$40,890 (2024) → $56,906 (2025)

Radcliff, KY

+39.2%

$35,990 (2024) → $50,087 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Louisville or Radcliff?

Louisville has a higher median massage therapist salary at $60,337/year, compared to Radcliff at $53,107/year — a difference of $7,230 (13.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville and Radcliff?

Louisville massage therapists earn $29.01/hr while Radcliff hygienists earn $25.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville to Radcliff as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville and Radcliff. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville = $67,567, Radcliff = $59,470), job availability (132 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Louisville vs Radcliff?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $34,995 in Louisville and $32,347 in Radcliff. The Louisville 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