Massage Therapist Pay

New York vs Yonkers: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

New York, NY
$53,651
$25.80/hr
Yonkers, NY
$69,836
$33.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYYonkers, NY
Median Salary$53,651$69,836
Hourly Rate$25.80$33.58
Entry Level (P10)$35,287$40,505
25th Percentile$39,528$50,590
75th Percentile$82,141$89,390
Top Earner (P90)$105,945$108,245
Total Employed5,42045
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($53,651) and Yonkers ($69,836) massage therapist salaries.New YorkYonkersMedian Salary$53,651$69,836Entry Level (P10)$35,287$40,505Top Earner (P90)$105,945$108,245US Median $61,975

Verdict

Yonkers, 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 Yonkers is $16,185 (30.17%). Yonkers's median is +12.68% 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,Yonkers spans $67,740. 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
Yonkers
P10 (Entry)$40,505
P25$50,590
Median$69,836
P75$89,390
P90 (Top)$108,245

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Yonkers ($60,255 effective) pays 26.42% more than New York ($47,663 effective).

New York
Nominal: $53,651
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $47,663
Yonkers
Nominal: $69,836
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $60,255

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 Yonkers if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,836/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($108,245)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,255)
  • 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 Yonkers over the same period.

New York, NY

+1.4%

$49,910 (2019) → $50,600 (2025)

Yonkers, NY

+2.6%

$64,198 (2024) → $65,864 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yonkers has a higher median massage therapist salary at $69,836/year, compared to New York at $53,651/year — a difference of $16,185 (30.17%).

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

New York massage therapists earn $25.80/hr while Yonkers hygienists earn $33.58/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Yonkers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $47,663, Yonkers = $60,255), job availability (5,420 vs 45 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $35,287 in New York and $40,505 in Yonkers. The Yonkers 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