Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Fort Worth, TX: $29.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Fort Worth, TX runs $29.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,160 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Fort Worth's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,303 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Fort Worth, the projected median hourly pay for massage therapists in 2026 is $29.89, slightly higher than the national median hourly rate of $29.80. This competitive rate offers a promising outlook for part-time and per-diem workers in various therapeutic settings, including spas, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, and mobile in-home services. Therapists working three days a week could see significant earnings, especially given the range in hourly rates—from $17.34 for entry-level positions to $46.32 for high earners. These figures are derived from estimated annual salary data, illustrating a strong financial incentive for both full-time and flexible career paths in the region.
About the Fort Worth Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.34 | $138.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.20 | $177.62 |
| Median (P50) | $29.89 | $239.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.26 | $306.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.32 | $370.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Worth
Based on $29.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.89/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Worth, TX can expect to earn approximately $62,171 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,868. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Worth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Worth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,195.59 | $5,181 | $62,171 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.36 | $3,109 | $37,303 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.24 | $2,072 | $24,868 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Fort Worth) | $29.89 |
| 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 Fort Worth, TX earn a median of $62,160 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.30% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 4.20% above the Texas state average of $59,655.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.89/hr = $37,303/year (purchasing power: $38,857).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,171/year (purchasing power: $64,761).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Fort Worth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Fort Worth grew 36.5% from $20.65/hr (2019) to $28.19/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.69/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 Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth
Evaluating the earning potential for those in Fort Worth reveals intriguing dynamics between part-time and full-time work. For example, a therapist working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate can expect to take home approximately $37,221 annually, much less than a full-time counterpart, which highlights the trade-offs of reduced hours. Moreover, the per diem pay for massage therapists can vary widely, from $25-$40 per session in franchise settings to $80-$150 for self-employed practitioners. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on the employer type; therapists at chains like Massage Envy might earn less than those in independent practice, who can command higher rates for their specialized services. Furthermore, many therapists face the decision of accepting lower hourly rates with benefits or opting for higher rates without them. When negotiating pay in Fort Worth, therapists should emphasize their qualifications while being open to various compensation arrangements—all while positioning themselves within the broader industry context as they seek to elevate their massage therapist hourly pay in TX.
More salary data for Fort Worth, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for massage therapists in Fort Worth in 2026?
How much do part-time massage therapists make in Fort Worth?
Are massage therapists in Fort Worth paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time massage therapist make per year in Fort Worth?
Do massage therapists earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Worth?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Fort Worth. 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 Fort Worth 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