Massage Therapist Pay

Tampa vs Wildwood: Massage Therapist Salary (2026)

Compare massage therapist salaries between Tampa, FL and Wildwood, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Tampa, FL
$54,574
$26.24/hr
Wildwood, FL
$54,892
$26.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTampa, FLWildwood, FL
Median Salary$54,574$54,892▲
Hourly Rate$26.24$26.39▲
Entry Level (P10)$33,558$50,714▲
25th Percentile$48,954$51,827▲
75th Percentile$62,282$67,435▲
Top Earner (P90)$74,984$79,416▲
Total Employed1,530▲50
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Tampa ($54,574) and Wildwood ($54,892) massage therapist salaries.TampaWildwoodMedian Salary$54,574$54,892Entry Level (P10)$33,558$50,714Top Earner (P90)$74,984$79,416US Median $61,975

Verdict

Wildwood, FL offers better overall compensation for massage therapists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tampa.

The salary gap between Tampa and Wildwood is $318 (0.58%). Wildwood's median is -11.43% compared to the US national median of $61,975.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Tampa spans $41,426,Wildwood spans $28,702. Tampa has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Tampa
P10 (Entry)$33,558
P25$48,954
Median$54,574
P75$62,282
P90 (Top)$74,984
Wildwood
P10 (Entry)$50,714
P25$51,827
Median$54,892
P75$67,435
P90 (Top)$79,416

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wildwood ($64,258 effective) pays 18.79% more than Tampa ($54,093 effective).

Tampa
Nominal: $54,574
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $54,093
Wildwood
Nominal: $54,892
CoL Index: 85.424
Adjusted: $64,258

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Tampa if…

  • ✓Larger job market (1,530 employed)
  • ✓You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Wildwood if…

  • ✓Higher median salary ($54,892/year)
  • ✓Better top-earner potential ($79,416)
  • ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,258)
  • ✓You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

View Full Salary Data

Tampa, FL

Salary →Hourly →Entry Level →Senior →

Wildwood, FL

Salary →Hourly →Entry Level →Senior →

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays massage therapists more: Tampa or Wildwood?

Wildwood has a higher median massage therapist salary at $54,892/year, compared to Tampa at $54,574/year — a difference of $318 (0.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Tampa and Wildwood?

Tampa massage therapists earn $26.24/hr while Wildwood hygienists earn $26.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Tampa to Wildwood as a massage therapist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Tampa and Wildwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Tampa = $54,093, Wildwood = $64,258), job availability (1,530 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level massage therapists earn in Tampa vs Wildwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) massage therapists earn $33,558 in Tampa and $50,714 in Wildwood. The Wildwood area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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

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