Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Santa Rosa, CA: $25.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Santa Rosa, CA runs $25.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,672 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Santa Rosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.8, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,208 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Offering a median hourly pay of $25.81, massage therapists in Santa Rosa, California, earn significantly less than the national hourly median of $29.80. This median provides a solid foundation for those considering part-time work—where a therapist might work three days a week and earn enough for a comfortable lifestyle or for supplemental income. Per-diem positions, commonly found in settings such as spas, chiropractic offices, and mobile practices, cater to varied availability. Entry-level therapists can expect to earn around $18.08 per hour, while top earners may take home as much as $51.00 for their specialized skills. This data, rooted in estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the local job market for massage therapists effectively.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.08 | $144.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.63 | $149.04 |
| Median (P50) | $25.81 | $206.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.05 | $264.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.00 | $408.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Rosa
Based on $25.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.81/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Rosa, CA can expect to earn approximately $53,680 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,969. With a cost-of-living index of 107.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Rosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Rosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,032.31 | $4,473 | $53,680 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $619.38 | $2,684 | $32,208 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $412.92 | $1,789 | $21,472 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Santa Rosa) | $25.81 |
| 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 Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $53,672 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.40% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.90% above the California state average of $53,194.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.81/hr = $32,208/year (purchasing power: $29,882).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,680/year (purchasing power: $49,803).
CoL index: 107.784 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Santa Rosa grew 36.5% from $17.83/hr (2019) to $24.34/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.36/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 Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa
For part-time massage therapists working 24 hours a week, the practical annual earnings can amount to $30,157, contrasting with full-time earnings for those who commit to a 40-hour schedule. Per-diem or agency therapists often charge rates that vary considerably, from $25 to $40 in corporate settings to $60 and upwards in independent practices. Self-employed therapists benefit from higher rates per session, receiving anywhere from $80 to $150 for an hour of massage, significantly more than the hourly pay received in more structured environments. Spas and chiropractic clinics often pay less, typically capped at lower rates, while those in hotel or cruise ship settings can experience variable incomes depending on tipping. The trade-off rests on whether a therapist prefers higher pay without benefits or a steadier income with health insurance. Negotiation strategies in Santa Rosa could include discussions around flexible schedules or performance-based bonuses to help enhance compensation aligned with individual career goals.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Santa Rosa. 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, 6-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