Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Denver, CO: $30.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Denver, CO runs $30.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,138 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Denver's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.8, 6% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,480 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Massage therapists in Denver, Colorado, earn a median hourly pay of $30.83, which positions them slightly ahead of the national median hourly rate of $29.80. This hourly compensation is particularly attractive for part-time or per-diem workers who typically undertake roles in spas, chiropractic clinics, sports training facilities, or mobile practices. Working three days a week, for instance, allows therapists to maintain financial flexibility while balancing personal commitments. For entry-level therapists, the hourly wage starts at approximately $16.27, while experienced practitioners can earn as much as $51.84 per hour, reflecting a diverse range of opportunities within Denver's vibrant wellness sector. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight the potential for both stability and elevated earnings in a variety of work settings.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.27 | $130.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.24 | $217.91 |
| Median (P50) | $30.83 | $246.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.58 | $308.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.84 | $414.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Denver
Based on $30.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.83/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Denver, CO can expect to earn approximately $64,134 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,000. With a cost-of-living index of 105.78 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Denver.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Denver
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,233.34 | $5,344 | $64,134 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $740.00 | $3,207 | $38,480 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $493.34 | $2,138 | $25,653 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Denver) | $30.83 |
| 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 Denver, CO earn a median of $64,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.10% below the Colorado state average of $65,513.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.83/hr = $38,480/year (purchasing power: $36,377).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,134/year (purchasing power: $60,628).
CoL index: 105.782 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Denver grew 28.8% from $22.57/hr (2019) to $29.08/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.69/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 Denver 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 Denver
When evaluating the earning potential for part-time massage therapists in Denver, those working an average of 24 hours a week may take home around $38,500 annually, a figure that reflects a different financial reality compared to full-time professionals. Per-diem massage therapists in this region typically bill between $25 and $100 per session, depending on their employment context—chain establishments like Massage Envy often pay on the lower end, while independent therapists have greater earning flexibility. While some seek the stability of franchise employment, which provides a steady stream of clients, others prefer the independence of self-employment, where they can charge $80 to $150 per session. These considerations make it vital for massage therapists in Denver to evaluate employer types, balancing pay against benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating for an hourly wage can be vital, emphasizing skill, experience, and particular services offered, especially within the thriving markets for mobile and self-employed therapists in CO.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 Denver. 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, 7-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