Massage Therapist Pay

Monroe vs Slidell: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Monroe, LA and Slidell, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Monroe, LA
$23,040
$11.08/hr
Slidell, LA
$40,429
$19.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMonroe, LASlidell, LA
Median Salary$23,040$40,429
Hourly Rate$11.08$19.44
Entry Level (P10)$17,834$19,170
25th Percentile$17,866$24,737
75th Percentile$31,205$51,212
Top Earner (P90)$47,724$51,223
Total Employed60100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Monroe ($23,040) and Slidell ($40,429) massage therapist salaries.MonroeSlidellMedian Salary$23,040$40,429Entry Level (P10)$17,834$19,170Top Earner (P90)$47,724$51,223US Median $61,975

Verdict

Slidell, LA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Monroe.

The salary gap between Monroe and Slidell is $17,389 (75.47%). Slidell's median is -34.77% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Monroe spans $29,890,Slidell spans $32,053. Slidell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Monroe
P10 (Entry)$17,834
P25$17,866
Median$23,040
P75$31,205
P90 (Top)$47,724
Slidell
P10 (Entry)$19,170
P25$24,737
Median$40,429
P75$51,212
P90 (Top)$51,223

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Slidell ($43,601 effective) pays 58.20% more than Monroe ($27,561 effective).

Monroe
Nominal: $23,040
CoL Index: 83.597
Adjusted: $27,561
Slidell
Nominal: $40,429
CoL Index: 92.726
Adjusted: $43,601

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Monroe if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Slidell if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,429/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($51,223)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,601)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Monroe grew 3.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to -35.0% growth in Slidell over the same period.

Monroe, LA

+3.7%

$20,950 (2020) → $21,730 (2025)

Slidell, LA

+-35.0%

$58,620 (2024) → $38,130 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Monroe or Slidell?

Slidell has a higher median massage therapist salary at $40,429/year, compared to Monroe at $23,040/year — a difference of $17,389 (75.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Monroe and Slidell?

Monroe massage therapists earn $11.08/hr while Slidell hygienists earn $19.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Monroe to Slidell as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Monroe and Slidell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Monroe = $27,561, Slidell = $43,601), job availability (60 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Monroe vs Slidell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $17,834 in Monroe and $19,170 in Slidell. The Slidell 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