Massage Therapist Pay

Mobile vs Northport: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Mobile, AL and Northport, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mobile, AL
$29,699
$14.28/hr
Northport, AL
$51,235
$24.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMobile, ALNorthport, AL
Median Salary$29,699$51,235
Hourly Rate$14.28$24.63
Entry Level (P10)$23,528$29,716
25th Percentile$23,592$37,307
75th Percentile$55,910$65,581
Top Earner (P90)$87,443$79,414
Total Employed705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mobile ($29,699) and Northport ($51,235) massage therapist salaries.MobileNorthportMedian Salary$29,699$51,235Entry Level (P10)$23,528$29,716Top Earner (P90)$87,443$79,414US Median $61,975

Verdict

Mobile and Northport are closely matched on overall massage therapist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Mobile and Northport is $21,536 (72.51%). Northport's median is -17.33% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mobile spans $63,915,Northport spans $49,698. Mobile has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mobile
P10 (Entry)$23,528
P25$23,592
Median$29,699
P75$55,910
P90 (Top)$87,443
Northport
P10 (Entry)$29,716
P25$37,307
Median$51,235
P75$65,581
P90 (Top)$79,414

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Northport ($58,288 effective) pays 72.90% more than Mobile ($33,711 effective).

Mobile
Nominal: $29,699
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $33,711
Northport
Nominal: $51,235
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $58,288

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mobile if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,443)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Northport if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,235/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,288)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Mobile grew -27.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.2% growth in Northport over the same period.

Mobile, AL

+-27.4%

$38,560 (2019) → $28,010 (2025)

Northport, AL

+48.2%

$32,616 (2024) → $48,321 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Mobile or Northport?

Northport has a higher median massage therapist salary at $51,235/year, compared to Mobile at $29,699/year — a difference of $21,536 (72.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mobile and Northport?

Mobile massage therapists earn $14.28/hr while Northport hygienists earn $24.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mobile to Northport as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mobile and Northport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mobile = $33,711, Northport = $58,288), job availability (70 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Mobile vs Northport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $23,528 in Mobile and $29,716 in Northport. The Northport 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