Entry-Level Massage Therapist Salary in Billings, MT: $23,263 (2026)
Quick Answer:New massage therapists entering the Billings, MT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $23,263 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billings's local price level (BEA RPP 93.5 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $24,873 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($44,628) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Considering a career as a massage therapist in Billings, Montana, will lead new graduates to a starting salary of around $23,263 in 2026. This figure falls significantly below the city median of $44,628, highlighting a notable gap that many entry-level therapists might face initially. However, there is a manageable growth trajectory within the first few years. As skills develop and experience is gained, many entry-level therapists can expect to see their salaries increase to approximately $27,250 or higher as they gain more clients and hone their techniques. Overall, Billings presents a viable market for new graduates, showcasing a positive annual growth rate of 6.03%, which indicates that, while starting pay may be lower than the national average of $61,975, there are opportunities for advancement as therapists establish their practices.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billings
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
Entry-level massage therapists in Billings, MT typically start between $23,263 and $27,250 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $68,188 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $44,628 — 27.99% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average massage therapy program cost in Montana of $9,000 represents just 38.69% of the starting massage therapist pay ($23,263/year) in Billings. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on COMTA-accredited and state-approved massage therapy program data. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college vs. private massage school) and required hours (varies by state licensing).
LMT Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Billings
- 1Research the Billings market: entry-level massage therapist pay ranges from $23,263 to $27,250, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the massage therapy field — employers in MT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billings, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Billings for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billings's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Massage Therapist Compensation Range
The massage therapist wage spread in Billings is $68,188 ( 293.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $23,263, experienced hygienists can earn up to $91,451.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$18,900
2025 BLS Actual
$21,940
2026 Current Est.
$23,263
2019–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $14,727 | Actual |
| 2021 | $15,946 | Actual |
| 2022 | $18,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $22,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $24,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $21,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23,263 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24,666 | Projected |
Entry-level massage therapist compensation (10th percentile) in Billings, MT grew 16.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $18,900 in 2019 to $21,940 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $24,666. New graduates entering the Billings job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.03% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your massage therapy Career in Billings
In Billings, several employers are eager to hire new graduates in the massage therapy field. Franchise chains such as Massage Envy, Hand & Stone, and Elements often recruit newly licensed therapists due to their streamlined onboarding processes. These positions provide steady booking but typically offer lower starting pay compared to self-employment opportunities. On the other hand, working in chiropractic or physical therapy clinics can provide steady hourly wages and include benefits, albeit with fewer opportunities for tips. For those looking to elevate their entry-level massage therapist salary in Billings, pursuing a comprehensive 500-1,000 hour program from an accredited school, passing the MBLEx, and obtaining a state massage therapy license are essential steps. Additionally, joining professional associations like ABMP or AMTA can enhance career prospects. In the first few years of practice, many therapists can anticipate a steady increase in earnings, as they may move from basic franchise positions to more lucrative self-employed roles, where experienced therapists could earn substantially through direct-pay models.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new massage therapy graduates. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Billings. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.03%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for massage therapists (SOC 31-9011).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, LMT, a licensed massage therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov