Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $29.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Bakersfield, CA runs $29.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,755 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,456 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bakersfield, the projected median hourly pay for massage therapists is estimated to be $29.21, slightly below the national average of $29.80 per hour. This hourly rate positions massage therapists well for diverse employment settings, including spas, chiropractic clinics, and hotel or cruise ship spas, where both full-time and part-time opportunities abound. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the financial landscape can still be beneficial, given that entry-level professionals may earn around $18.14 per hour, while more seasoned therapists can achieve earnings up to $45.09 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data paints a clear picture of the earning potential within Bakersfield, from per-diem workers to those in established practices.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.14 | $145.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.26 | $178.05 |
| Median (P50) | $29.21 | $233.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.75 | $286.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.09 | $360.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $29.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.21/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $60,759 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,054. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,168.45 | $5,063 | $60,759 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $701.07 | $3,038 | $36,456 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.38 | $2,025 | $24,304 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Bakersfield) | $29.21 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $32.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Exercise Trainer/Fitness Instructor (National Avg) | $23.95 |
Massage Therapists in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $60,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.97% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 14.30% above the California state average of $53,154.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.21/hr = $36,456/year (purchasing power: $36,135).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,759/year (purchasing power: $60,226).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.21/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+80.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Bakersfield grew 60.5% from $17.17/hr (2019) to $27.55/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.97/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem massage therapists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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.
Working as an Hourly Massage Therapist in Bakersfield
When considering the financial realities for part-time massage therapists in Bakersfield, a therapist working just three days a week can expect to take home a respectable income while balancing other commitments. Those practicing on a per-diem basis may face variability in earnings, billing anywhere from $25 to $40 per session at chain locations, or even $60 to $100 for mid-tier independent agencies. Self-employed therapists working either cash-pay or through mobile services can charge much higher rates, with earnings reaching $120 to $200 for in-home sessions, illustrating the significant pay gap between various employment types. While franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone provide steady bookings, they often compensate at lower rates, in contrast to the autonomy and potential earnings of self-employment. Negotiating hourly rates, especially in a rising market, requires tact—therapists should express their unique skills and client satisfaction to enhance their bargaining position, empowering them to achieve a more favorable massage therapist hourly rate in CA.
More salary data for Bakersfield, CA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for massage therapists in Bakersfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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