Massage Therapist Pay

New York vs New Rochelle: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$53,651
$25.80/hr
New Rochelle, NY
$68,396
$32.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYNew Rochelle, NY
Median Salary$53,651$68,396
Hourly Rate$25.80$32.88
Entry Level (P10)$35,287$39,669
25th Percentile$39,528$52,319
75th Percentile$82,141$87,547
Top Earner (P90)$105,945$106,013
Total Employed5,42020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($53,651) and New Rochelle ($68,396) massage therapist salaries.New YorkNew RochelleMedian Salary$53,651$68,396Entry Level (P10)$35,287$39,669Top Earner (P90)$105,945$106,013US Median $61,975

Verdict

New Rochelle, 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 New Rochelle is $14,745 (27.48%). New Rochelle's median is +10.36% 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,New Rochelle spans $66,344. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$35,287
P25$39,528
Median$53,651
P75$82,141
P90 (Top)$105,945
New Rochelle
P10 (Entry)$39,669
P25$52,319
Median$68,396
P75$87,547
P90 (Top)$106,013

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Rochelle ($59,013 effective) pays 23.81% more than New York ($47,663 effective).

New York
Nominal: $53,651
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $47,663
New Rochelle
Nominal: $68,396
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $59,013

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 New Rochelle if…

  • Higher median salary ($68,396/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,013)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,013)
  • 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 2.6% growth in New Rochelle over the same period.

New York, NY

+1.4%

$49,910 (2019) → $50,600 (2025)

New Rochelle, NY

+2.6%

$62,875 (2024) → $64,506 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: New York or New Rochelle?

New Rochelle has a higher median massage therapist salary at $68,396/year, compared to New York at $53,651/year — a difference of $14,745 (27.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and New Rochelle?

New York massage therapists earn $25.80/hr while New Rochelle hygienists earn $32.88/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and New Rochelle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $47,663, New Rochelle = $59,013), job availability (5,420 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $35,287 in New York and $39,669 in New Rochelle. The New Rochelle 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