Massage Therapist Pay

Raymore vs St. Louis: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Raymore, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raymore, MO
$51,405
$24.72/hr
St. Louis, MO
$62,579
$30.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaymore, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$51,405$62,579
Hourly Rate$24.72$30.09
Entry Level (P10)$32,311$46,314
25th Percentile$38,654$50,640
75th Percentile$65,799$82,385
Top Earner (P90)$79,678$102,117
Total Employed61,010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raymore ($51,405) and St. Louis ($62,579) massage therapist salaries.RaymoreSt. LouisMedian Salary$51,405$62,579Entry Level (P10)$32,311$46,314Top Earner (P90)$79,678$102,117US Median $61,975

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Raymore.

The salary gap between Raymore and St. Louis is $11,174 (21.74%). St. Louis's median is +0.97% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raymore spans $47,367,St. Louis spans $55,803. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced massage therapists.

Raymore
P10 (Entry)$32,311
P25$38,654
Median$51,405
P75$65,799
P90 (Top)$79,678
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$46,314
P25$50,640
Median$62,579
P75$82,385
P90 (Top)$102,117

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($65,812 effective) pays 14.71% more than Raymore ($57,372 effective).

Raymore
Nominal: $51,405
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $57,372
St. Louis
Nominal: $62,579
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $65,812

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raymore if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,579/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,117)
  • Larger job market (1,010 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,812)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in Raymore grew 39.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 67.0% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Raymore, MO

+39.2%

$34,838 (2024) → $48,482 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+67.0%

$35,350 (2019) → $59,020 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Raymore or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median massage therapist salary at $62,579/year, compared to Raymore at $51,405/year — a difference of $11,174 (21.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raymore and St. Louis?

Raymore massage therapists earn $24.72/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $30.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raymore to St. Louis as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raymore and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raymore = $57,372, St. Louis = $65,812), job availability (6 vs 1,010 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Raymore vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $32,311 in Raymore and $46,314 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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