Massage Therapist Pay

Olympia vs Redmond: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Olympia, WA and Redmond, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Olympia, WA
$83,043
$39.93/hr
Redmond, WA
$86,716
$41.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOlympia, WARedmond, WA
Median Salary$83,043$86,716
Hourly Rate$39.93$41.69
Entry Level (P10)$37,895$50,295
25th Percentile$68,559$62,446
75th Percentile$95,597$110,996
Top Earner (P90)$120,418$134,409
Total Employed20014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Olympia ($83,043) and Redmond ($86,716) massage therapist salaries.OlympiaRedmondMedian Salary$83,043$86,716Entry Level (P10)$37,895$50,295Top Earner (P90)$120,418$134,409US Median $61,975

Verdict

Redmond, WA offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Olympia.

The salary gap between Olympia and Redmond is $3,673 (4.42%). Redmond's median is +39.92% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Olympia spans $82,523,Redmond spans $84,114. Redmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Olympia
P10 (Entry)$37,895
P25$68,559
Median$83,043
P75$95,597
P90 (Top)$120,418
Redmond
P10 (Entry)$50,295
P25$62,446
Median$86,716
P75$110,996
P90 (Top)$134,409

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Redmond ($80,741 effective) pays 0.80% more than Olympia ($80,103 effective).

Olympia
Nominal: $83,043
CoL Index: 103.67
Adjusted: $80,103
Redmond
Nominal: $86,716
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $80,741

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Olympia if…

  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Redmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,716/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,409)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,741)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Olympia grew 38.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.1% growth in Redmond over the same period.

Olympia, WA

+38.4%

$56,580 (2019) → $78,320 (2025)

Redmond, WA

+19.1%

$68,672 (2024) → $81,784 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Olympia or Redmond?

Redmond has a higher median massage therapist salary at $86,716/year, compared to Olympia at $83,043/year — a difference of $3,673 (4.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Olympia and Redmond?

Olympia massage therapists earn $39.93/hr while Redmond hygienists earn $41.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Olympia to Redmond as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Olympia and Redmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Olympia = $80,103, Redmond = $80,741), job availability (200 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Olympia vs Redmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $37,895 in Olympia and $50,295 in Redmond. The Redmond 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