Massage Therapist Pay

New York vs Kiryas Joel: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between New York, NY and Kiryas Joel, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$53,651
$25.80/hr
Kiryas Joel, NY
$72,779
$34.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYKiryas Joel, NY
Median Salary$53,651$72,779
Hourly Rate$25.80$34.99
Entry Level (P10)$35,287$36,167
25th Percentile$39,528$46,250
75th Percentile$82,141$96,021
Top Earner (P90)$105,945$111,459
Total Employed5,420120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($53,651) and Kiryas Joel ($72,779) massage therapist salaries.New YorkKiryas JoelMedian Salary$53,651$72,779Entry Level (P10)$35,287$36,167Top Earner (P90)$105,945$111,459US Median $61,975

Verdict

Kiryas Joel, NY offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New York.

The salary gap between New York and Kiryas Joel is $19,128 (35.65%). Kiryas Joel's median is +17.43% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $70,658,Kiryas Joel spans $75,292. Kiryas Joel has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

New York
P10 (Entry)$35,287
P25$39,528
Median$53,651
P75$82,141
P90 (Top)$105,945
Kiryas Joel
P10 (Entry)$36,167
P25$46,250
Median$72,779
P75$96,021
P90 (Top)$111,459

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kiryas Joel ($66,512 effective) pays 39.55% more than New York ($47,663 effective).

New York
Nominal: $53,651
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $47,663
Kiryas Joel
Nominal: $72,779
CoL Index: 109.422
Adjusted: $66,512

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Larger job market (5,420 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Kiryas Joel if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,779/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($111,459)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,512)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in New York grew 1.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.0% growth in Kiryas Joel over the same period.

New York, NY

+1.4%

$49,910 (2019) → $50,600 (2025)

Kiryas Joel, NY

+9.0%

$62,950 (2024) → $68,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: New York or Kiryas Joel?

Kiryas Joel has a higher median massage therapist salary at $72,779/year, compared to New York at $53,651/year — a difference of $19,128 (35.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Kiryas Joel?

New York massage therapists earn $25.80/hr while Kiryas Joel hygienists earn $34.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Kiryas Joel as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Kiryas Joel. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $47,663, Kiryas Joel = $66,512), job availability (5,420 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in New York vs Kiryas Joel?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $35,287 in New York and $36,167 in Kiryas Joel. The Kiryas Joel 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