Massage Therapist Pay

St. Louis vs Webster Groves: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

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

St. Louis, MO
$62,579
$30.09/hr
Webster Groves, MO
$53,331
$25.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOWebster Groves, MO
Median Salary$62,579$53,331
Hourly Rate$30.09$25.64
Entry Level (P10)$46,314$32,562
25th Percentile$50,640$40,441
75th Percentile$82,385$68,263
Top Earner (P90)$102,117$82,663
Total Employed1,0106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($62,579) and Webster Groves ($53,331) massage therapist salaries.St. LouisWebster GrovesMedian Salary$62,579$53,331Entry Level (P10)$46,314$32,562Top Earner (P90)$102,117$82,663US Median $61,975

Verdict

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

The salary gap between St. Louis and Webster Groves is $9,248 (17.34%). 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 St. Louis spans $55,803,Webster Groves spans $50,101. St. Louis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$46,314
P25$50,640
Median$62,579
P75$82,385
P90 (Top)$102,117
Webster Groves
P10 (Entry)$32,562
P25$40,441
Median$53,331
P75$68,263
P90 (Top)$82,663

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($65,812 effective) pays 10.57% more than Webster Groves ($59,521 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $62,579
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $65,812
Webster Groves
Nominal: $53,331
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $59,521

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Webster Groves if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, massage therapist salaries in St. Louis grew 67.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.2% growth in Webster Groves over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+67.0%

$35,350 (2019) → $59,020 (2025)

Webster Groves, MO

+39.2%

$36,142 (2024) → $50,298 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. Louis has a higher median massage therapist salary at $62,579/year, compared to Webster Groves at $53,331/year — a difference of $9,248 (17.34%).

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

St. Louis massage therapists earn $30.09/hr while Webster Groves hygienists earn $25.64/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and Webster Groves. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $65,812, Webster Groves = $59,521), job availability (1,010 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $46,314 in St. Louis and $32,562 in Webster Groves. 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