Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Stockton, CA: $23.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Stockton, CA runs $23.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Stockton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.1, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,887 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Massage therapists in Stockton, California, can expect a median hourly pay of $23.15, which is noticeably below the national median of $29.80. This discrepancy highlights the local market's dynamics and may impact workers seeking part-time opportunities or per-diem positions across various settings including spas, chiropractic clinics, and mobile practices. In Stockton, the hourly rates range from $17.49 for entry-level therapists to as much as $46.20 for those at the top of the pay scale. Given these figures, part-time therapists working three days a week may find that the financial rewards, while steady, still fall short of those available in more lucrative markets or settings.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.49 | $139.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.74 | $141.91 |
| Median (P50) | $23.15 | $185.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.70 | $245.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.20 | $369.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stockton
Based on $23.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.15/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stockton, CA can expect to earn approximately $48,144 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,776. With a cost-of-living index of 105.09 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Stockton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stockton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $925.85 | $4,012 | $48,144 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $555.51 | $2,407 | $28,887 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.34 | $1,605 | $19,258 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Stockton) | $23.15 |
| 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 Stockton, CA earn a median of $48,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.33% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 9.50% below the California state average of $53,191.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.15/hr = $28,887/year (purchasing power: $27,488).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,144/year (purchasing power: $45,813).
CoL index: 105.089 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Stockton grew 36.5% from $15.99/hr (2019) to $21.83/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.54/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 Stockton 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 Stockton
Analyzing the earning potential for massage therapists in Stockton reveals several layers of opportunity and challenge. A therapist working part-time for 24 hours a week could potentially make $29,510 annually, significantly less than full-time colleagues, which illustrates the trade-off in income. For per-diem therapists, session rates can vary widely; filling in at chain spas might yield $25-$40 per session, while independent therapists can charge $80-$150 for a one-hour appointment. Variations also emerge based on employer type. Spas often offer lower hourly rates due to the benefits package included, whereas self-employed therapists command higher fees but face financial responsibilities such as marketing and overhead. Massage therapists should approach negotiations carefully, weighing hourly pay against the value of health benefits, especially when working within franchise models like Massage Envy and others, versus pursuing independent practice where they can capitalize on higher cash-pay rates.
More salary data for Stockton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for massage therapists in Stockton in 2026?
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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 Stockton. 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, 5-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