Massage Therapist Pay

Maple Valley vs Olympia: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Maple Valley, WA and Olympia, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Maple Valley, WA
$82,572
$39.70/hr
Olympia, WA
$83,043
$39.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaple Valley, WAOlympia, WA
Median Salary$82,572$83,043
Hourly Rate$39.70$39.93
Entry Level (P10)$50,001$37,895
25th Percentile$60,713$68,559
75th Percentile$105,692$95,597
Top Earner (P90)$127,987$120,418
Total Employed6200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maple Valley ($82,572) and Olympia ($83,043) massage therapist salaries.Maple ValleyOlympiaMedian Salary$82,572$83,043Entry Level (P10)$50,001$37,895Top Earner (P90)$127,987$120,418US Median $61,975

Verdict

Olympia, WA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Maple Valley.

The salary gap between Maple Valley and Olympia is $471 (0.57%). Olympia's median is +33.99% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maple Valley spans $77,986,Olympia spans $82,523. Olympia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Maple Valley
P10 (Entry)$50,001
P25$60,713
Median$82,572
P75$105,692
P90 (Top)$127,987
Olympia
P10 (Entry)$37,895
P25$68,559
Median$83,043
P75$95,597
P90 (Top)$120,418

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Olympia ($80,103 effective) pays 4.19% more than Maple Valley ($76,883 effective).

Maple Valley
Nominal: $82,572
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $76,883
Olympia
Nominal: $83,043
CoL Index: 103.67
Adjusted: $80,103

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maple Valley if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($127,987)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Olympia if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,043/year)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,103)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Maple Valley grew 19.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.4% growth in Olympia over the same period.

Maple Valley, WA

+19.1%

$65,391 (2024) → $77,876 (2025)

Olympia, WA

+38.4%

$56,580 (2019) → $78,320 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Maple Valley or Olympia?

Olympia has a higher median massage therapist salary at $83,043/year, compared to Maple Valley at $82,572/year — a difference of $471 (0.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maple Valley and Olympia?

Maple Valley massage therapists earn $39.70/hr while Olympia hygienists earn $39.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maple Valley to Olympia as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maple Valley and Olympia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maple Valley = $76,883, Olympia = $80,103), job availability (6 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Maple Valley vs Olympia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $50,001 in Maple Valley and $37,895 in Olympia. The Maple Valley 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