Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $28.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Great Falls, MT runs $28.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,461 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,675 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $28.59, massage therapists in Great Falls, MT, earn slightly less than the national median of $29.80. For those working part-time, perhaps three days a week, this translates into a practical earning potential while having the flexibility to manage other commitments. In typical settings such as spas, chiropractic clinics, and private practices, these therapists operate within a range from $16.58 at the entry level to about $44.31 for the top earners. This variability reflects not only experience and specialization but also the specific environment in which they work. Hourly rates are derived from annual salary data and provide a reasonable estimate for those considering a massage therapy career in Great Falls.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.58 | $132.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.58 | $164.64 |
| Median (P50) | $28.59 | $228.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.59 | $292.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.31 | $354.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $28.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.59/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $59,458 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,303. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,143.43 | $4,955 | $59,458 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $686.06 | $2,973 | $35,675 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.37 | $1,982 | $23,783 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Great Falls) | $28.59 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $59,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.06% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.30% below the Montana state average of $59,639.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.59/hr = $35,675/year (purchasing power: $37,084).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,458/year (purchasing power: $61,807).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.91/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Great Falls grew 36.5% from $19.75/hr (2019) to $26.96/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.31/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
For part-time therapists, working 24 hours a week can yield an annual take-home amount that contrasts sharply with full-time salaries. For example, if they consistently earn their hourly rate, their income can sit comfortably in the mid-range, depending on their clientele and the nature of their practice. Per-diem or agency therapists often see varied rates, billing $25-$40 per session at chain establishments, while independent practitioners may charge between $80 to $150 for hour-long sessions. The landscape of employers impacts earnings too; chains like Massage Envy or Elements typically offer lower rates compared to self-employed individuals who can leverage overhead costs into higher returns. Negotiating for better pay in Great Falls may hinge on availability, client retention, and the balance of benefits versus compensation, notably for those seeking the stability offered by traditional employment structures versus the independence of self-employment.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Great Falls. 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 Great Falls 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