Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Brea, CA: $24.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Brea, CA runs $24.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,450 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Brea's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,276 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, California, massage therapists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $24.26, which is notably lower than the national median of $29.80. This hourly figure is crucial for those considering part-time or per-diem opportunities, since a massage therapist working three days a week might take home significantly variable amounts, depending on their employment setting. The hourly range for massage therapists in Brea stretches from $14.58 for entry-level positions up to $37.60 for experienced professionals, allowing for flexibility across a range of environments including spas, chiropractic clinics, and mobile massage setups. This pay structure is important for therapists who may be working in lucrative self-employed practices, where hourly earnings can vary widely, depending on clientele and location.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.58 | $116.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.29 | $146.32 |
| Median (P50) | $24.26 | $194.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.05 | $248.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.60 | $300.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brea
Based on $24.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.26/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brea, CA can expect to earn approximately $50,460 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,112. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $970.39 | $4,205 | $50,460 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $582.23 | $2,523 | $30,276 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.15 | $1,682 | $20,184 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Brea) | $24.26 |
| 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 Brea, CA earn a median of $50,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.60% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 5.10% below the California state average of $53,161.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.26/hr = $30,276/year (purchasing power: $26,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,460/year (purchasing power: $44,615).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.26/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Brea grew 36.5% from $16.76/hr (2019) to $22.88/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.72/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 Brea 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 Brea
As the job market for massage therapists in Brea continues to expand, those working part-time could bring home a substantially different amount compared to their full-time counterparts. A therapist operating on a 24-hour work week could garner a much lower annual income than those in full-time roles. For per diem professionals, session rates can vary widely—typically ranging from $25 to $100 for chain spas, and potentially exceeding $150 in independent settings or mobile practices. Employment at franchises like Massage Envy may stabilize booking schedules, but this often comes at a cost with lower hourly wages compared to self-employed practice. While some may choose the security of benefits that come with lower hourly pay, others might prioritize higher earnings as independent contractors. Negotiating pay rates in Brea often hinges on these trade-offs, with many therapists leveraging their training and affiliations with professional organizations like ABMP and AMTA to advocate for fair compensation for their skills and experience.
More salary data for Brea, 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 Brea. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brea is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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