Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Augusta, GA: $29.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Augusta, GA runs $29.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,346 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Augusta's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,408 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Augusta, Georgia, the massage therapist hourly pay stands at an estimated $29.97, surpassing the national median of $29.80. This wage provides a reasonable income for both full-time and part-time professionals within various therapeutic environments, including spa treatment rooms, chiropractic offices, and even hotel and cruise ship setups. For those working only three days a week, opportunities are available across the hourly spectrum, with entry-level positions starting around $21.20 and top earners reaching up to $45.24. Such a configuration opens up possibilities for flexible work arrangements, which presents compelling options for individuals seeking to balance professional commitments with personal time.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.20 | $169.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.34 | $194.76 |
| Median (P50) | $29.97 | $239.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.85 | $302.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.24 | $361.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Augusta
Based on $29.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.97/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Augusta, GA can expect to earn approximately $62,347 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,970. With a cost-of-living index of 91.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Augusta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Augusta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,198.99 | $5,196 | $62,347 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $719.39 | $3,117 | $37,408 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $479.59 | $2,078 | $24,939 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Augusta) | $29.97 |
| 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 Augusta, GA earn a median of $62,346 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.60% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 8.10% above the Georgia state average of $57,674.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.97/hr = $37,408/year (purchasing power: $40,704).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,347/year (purchasing power: $67,840).
CoL index: 91.903 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $10.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Augusta grew 29.5% from $21.83/hr (2019) to $28.27/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.78/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 Augusta 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 Augusta
Focusing on part-time earnings, a massage therapist working three days a week for roughly 24 hours annually would net approximately $46,000 if they maintain the average hourly rate. Compared to full-time professionals, this can be a viable income, especially when factoring in the benefits offered by various employers. In Augusta, per-diem massage therapists often earn between $25 and $100 per session, depending on whether they work in chain establishments or independent settings. Self-employed options can be more lucrative, with hourly earnings ranging from $80 to a premium of $200 in mobile setups. However, this comes with the trade-off of handling overhead and self-marketing. Here, negotiation becomes essential; understanding the landscape of hourly wage differences between franchise chains, which typically offer less stability but steady clientele, and self-employed options can empower professionals to make informed decisions about their career paths in GA.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
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 Augusta. 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