Massage Therapist Hourly Pay in Virginia Beach, VA: $29.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a massage therapist working in Virginia Beach, VA runs $29.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,978 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Weighted against Virginia Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,588 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Massage therapy professionals in Virginia Beach earn a median hourly pay of $29.32, which is slightly below the national median of $29.80. This hourly rate provides a comfortable living for massage therapists who choose to work part-time, such as those employed three days a week, creating opportunities to maintain flexibility while still earning a competitive wage. The field caters to various settings, including spa treatment rooms, chiropractic clinics, hotel spas, and private practice, allowing for a diverse range of employment options. Within this market, entry-level therapists can expect to earn around $19.19 per hour, while experienced practitioners in the field may see earnings climb to an impressive $52.10 per hour, reflecting the different levels of experience and clientele.
Massage Therapist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.19 | $153.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.71 | $189.67 |
| Median (P50) | $29.32 | $234.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.52 | $364.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.10 | $416.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Virginia Beach
Based on $29.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.32/hr, a massage therapist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Virginia Beach, VA can expect to earn approximately $60,980 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,181. With a cost-of-living index of 97.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Virginia Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Virginia Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,172.69 | $5,082 | $60,980 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $703.62 | $3,049 | $36,588 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $469.08 | $2,033 | $24,392 |
Compare LMT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Massage Therapist (Virginia Beach) | $29.32 |
| 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 Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $60,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.61% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 4.70% below the Virginia state average of $63,985.
Massage Therapist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.32/hr = $36,588/year (purchasing power: $37,357).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,980/year (purchasing power: $62,262).
CoL index: 97.941 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+74.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for massage therapists in Virginia Beach grew 54.7% from $17.87/hr (2019) to $27.65/hr (2025). At a 6.03% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.09/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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
Exploring the realities of part-time and per-diem positions in Virginia Beach reveals a significant variation in actual take-home earnings. A massage therapist working three days a week for 24 hours could expect to bring home around $43,553 annually, providing a suitable base income for those who want to maintain a balanced lifestyle. For per-diem therapists, rates vary widely based on the practice's nature and location, with session pay ranging from $25-$40 in franchise settings to $80-$150 for those in self-employed scenarios. This reflects the broader average within the profession, as hourly wages depend largely on the employer type; for instance, therapists in high-end hotel spas or independent practices often earn more than those at chains like Massage Envy. Many therapists weigh the trade-off between lower hourly rates with better benefits versus higher pay without insurance, highlighting the importance of negotiation skills in this competitive market of massage therapist hourly pay in Virginia Beach.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for massage therapists in Virginia Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time massage therapists make in Virginia Beach?
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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 Virginia Beach. 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