Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Laguna Niguel, CA: $24.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Laguna Niguel, CA runs $24.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,629 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Laguna Niguel's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,977 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Laguna Niguel, the massage therapist hourly pay is projected to be $24.82 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $29.80. This differential may impact those considering part-time roles; for instance, a massage therapist working just three days a week can earn approximately $1,199 monthly, offering flexibility but potentially lower financial security. The hourly range for this profession spans from $14.50 at the entry-level to $38.48 for the most experienced practitioners, reflecting the diversity in employment settings, which include day spas, chiropractic clinics, and mobile practices. Given that salaries are estimated from annual data, prospective massage therapists in Laguna Niguel will find varying levels of compensation based on their specific work environments, with cash-pay and self-employed roles often providing more substantial earnings.
About the Laguna Niguel 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) | $14.50 | $116.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.51 | $148.10 |
| Median (P50) | $24.82 | $198.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.77 | $254.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.48 | $307.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Laguna Niguel
Based on $24.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.82/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Laguna Niguel, CA can expect to earn approximately $51,629 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,786. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Laguna Niguel.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Laguna Niguel
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $992.86 | $4,302 | $51,629 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $595.72 | $2,581 | $30,977 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $397.15 | $1,721 | $20,652 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Laguna Niguel) | $24.82 |
| 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 Laguna Niguel, CA earn a median of $51,629 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.69% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.90% below the California state average of $53,171.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.82/hr = $30,977/year (purchasing power: $27,389).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,629/year (purchasing power: $45,649).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Laguna Niguel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Laguna Niguel grew 36.5% from $17.15/hr (2019) to $23.41/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.32/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 Laguna Niguel 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 Laguna Niguel
Part-time massage therapists in Laguna Niguel can navigate a compelling earning potential, especially those working three days a week and taking home about $14,388 annually. For per diem or agency-based positions, these professionals typically bill between $25 to $40 per session at chain establishments, while mid-tier independent setups can command $60 to $100 per session. The self-employed sector shines with opportunities to earn $80 to $150 per hour-long session, but this comes with the responsibilities of overhead costs and self-marketing. In comparing employer types, spas and franchises often offer lower hourly rates, whereas self-employed therapists can retain a larger cut of their earnings. Negotiation tips for hourly workers in Laguna Niguel could include leveraging local cost of living data or demonstrating the value of skills obtained through ABMP or AMTA certifications, particularly when discussing rates with prospective employers or clients.
More salary data for Laguna Niguel, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for massage therapists in Laguna Niguel in 2026?
How much do part-time massage therapists make in Laguna Niguel?
Are massage therapists in Laguna Niguel paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time massage therapist make per year in Laguna Niguel?
Do massage therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Laguna Niguel?
Related Pages
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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 Laguna Niguel. 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 Laguna Niguel 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