Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in St. Clair Shores, MI: $34.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in St. Clair Shores, MI runs $34.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,754 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against St. Clair Shores's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,654 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In St. Clair Shores, Michigan, the projected hourly rate for massage therapists stands at $34.98, which is notably higher than the national average of $29.80. This competitive hourly rate supports a flexible working arrangement for part-time professionals and per-diem therapists typically operating in various environments such as spa treatment rooms, chiropractic clinics, sports venues, and even mobile in-home setups. The hourly range for massage therapists here spans from $20.73 for entry-level positions to $54.21 for top earners. These figures, estimated from projected annual salary data, reflect the diverse nature of the profession and its varying compensation, making it an appealing career choice for both full-time and those seeking flexible hours.
About the St. Clair Shores Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.73 | $165.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.31 | $210.45 |
| Median (P50) | $34.98 | $279.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.78 | $358.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.21 | $433.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Clair Shores
Based on $34.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.98/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Clair Shores, MI can expect to earn approximately $72,757 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,975. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Clair Shores.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Clair Shores
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,399.17 | $6,063 | $72,757 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $839.50 | $3,638 | $43,654 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $559.67 | $2,425 | $29,103 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (St. Clair Shores) | $34.98 |
| 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 St. Clair Shores, MI earn a median of $72,754 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.39% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $73,193.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.98/hr = $43,654/year (purchasing power: $46,839).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,757/year (purchasing power: $78,065).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in St. Clair Shores (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in St. Clair Shores grew 36.5% from $24.17/hr (2019) to $32.99/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.09/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 St. Clair Shores 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 St. Clair Shores
Analyzing the earning potential further emphasizes the financial benefits available to massage therapists in the area. A part-time therapist working three days a week, totalling 24 hours, could earn around $43,106 annually, while those filling in on a per-diem basis may see varied earnings, typically charging $25 to $100 per session depending on the provider and service type. With self-employed practitioners commanding cash pay ranging from $80 to $150 per hour-long session, the variation in income reflects the professional's choice of work environment and clientele. In St. Clair Shores, therapists can expect hourly rates to differ significantly across employer types, including resort and day spas or self-employment where higher rates often accompany the lack of benefits. Negotiating pay is essential; therapists should emphasize value, experience, and availability when discussing rates with potential employers.
More salary data for St. Clair Shores, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for massage therapists in St. Clair Shores in 2026?
How much do part-time massage therapists make in St. Clair Shores?
Are massage therapists in St. Clair Shores paid hourly or salary?
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Do massage therapists earn more per hour working part-time in St. Clair Shores?
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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 St. Clair Shores. 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 St. Clair Shores 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