Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Duluth, MN: $30.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Duluth, MN runs $30.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,141 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Duluth's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,885 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Massage therapists in Duluth, Minnesota, earn a median hourly rate of $30.36, which is slightly above the national median of $29.80. For therapists working part-time, typically three days a week, this hourly pay can translate to a decent income while still allowing flexibility in their schedules. Common environments for these professionals include spa treatment rooms, chiropractic clinics, and mobile setups, which can accommodate various work styles. The hourly range for massage therapists in Duluth starts at $22.50 for entry-level positions and can reach up to $44.06 for experienced practitioners, reflecting a broad spectrum of earning potential based on skill level and experience. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, ensuring their relevance to current market dynamics.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.50 | $180.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.23 | $217.83 |
| Median (P50) | $30.36 | $242.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.06 | $352.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.06 | $352.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Duluth
Based on $30.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.36/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Duluth, MN can expect to earn approximately $63,141 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,428. With a cost-of-living index of 88.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Duluth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Duluth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,214.26 | $5,262 | $63,141 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $728.55 | $3,157 | $37,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $485.70 | $2,105 | $25,257 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Duluth) | $30.36 |
| 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 Duluth, MN earn a median of $63,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 3.40% above the Minnesota state average of $61,065.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.36/hr = $37,885/year (purchasing power: $42,678).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,141/year (purchasing power: $71,131).
CoL index: 88.768 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Duluth grew 16.6% from $24.55/hr (2019) to $28.63/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.19/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 Duluth 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 Duluth
Estimating the annual income for a part-time massage therapist working 24 hours a week can yield significant differences compared to full-time salaries. While full-time therapists may benefit from steady income and employer-sponsored health benefits, part-time workers in Duluth may take home a more variable income. Per diem massage therapist pay in Duluth can range widely depending on the setting, with therapists in franchise chains like Massage Envy earning between $25-$40 per session, while self-employed therapists charging cash may see rates from $80 to $150 per hour-long appointment. This difference illustrates the allure of self-employment, where flexibility and higher pay per session can be a trade-off against the lack of benefits that often accompany franchise employment. Additionally, negotiating rates can vary depending on employer type, allowing for higher pay opportunities in sports medicine practices or integrative hospital programs versus franchise chains. For those navigating this career, awareness of these variances and focusing on self-marketing can lead to fruitful opportunities in Duluth's evolving massage therapy scene.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
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 Duluth. 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