Massage Therapist Salary in Alaska: $94,637 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alaska's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $94,637/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Alaska sits at BEA RPP 106.1 (6% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $89,196 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fairbanks ($130,590), Anchorage ($64,461), Juneau ($61,307).
In 2026, the average median salary for massage therapists in Alaska is projected to be $94,637, significantly higher than the national median of $61,975, reflecting a difference of +52.7%. The disparity in salaries across the state is pronounced; Fairbanks offers the highest average pay at $138,465, while Sitka has the lowest at $60,749, resulting in a substantial $77,716 gap. Factors influencing this difference include local cost of living, demand for massage therapy services, and population density, which can vary widely across communities. Alaska has specific licensing requirements for massage therapists, including completing a state-approved program and passing a national exam. The scope of practice is regulated, and the demand for therapists is driven by the state's tourism industry and the increasing awareness of wellness and holistic health among residents. The projected job market for massage therapists in Alaska shows a growth rate of 6.03% annually, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. With a total of 130 employed massage therapists anticipated statewide, major cities like Anchorage ($68,348) and Juneau ($65,004) also present diverse opportunities for practitioners seeking to establish or grow their careers.
Alaska Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alaska: $36,177 (lowest entry-level) to $169,245 (highest top earner)
Alaska vs National Average
Alaska massage therapists earn 52.70% more than the national median (+$32,662/year difference).
Alaska Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Alaska range from $38,123 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $129,235 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $94,637. The Alaska median is $32,662 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $45.50/hr. Approximately 130 massage therapists are employed across 5 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$82,360
2025 BLS Actual
$89,255
2026 Current Est.
$94,637
2019–2027 Growth
+21.8%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Alaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,559 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,341 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,984 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,255 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,637 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,343 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alaska metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 8.4% from $82,360 (2019) to $89,255 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,343 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,983 (21.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alaska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alaska
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Alaska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alaska cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $138,465 | 103.208 | $134,161 |
| Anchorage | $68,348 | 106.1 | $64,418 |
| Juneau | $65,004 | 106.1 | $61,267 |
| Wasilla | $60,788 | 106.1 | $57,293 |
| Sitka | $60,749 | 106.1 | $57,256 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alaska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,123 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $94,637 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $129,235 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alaska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 5 Cities in Alaska
More Alaska Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Alaska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Alaska?
How does Alaska massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Alaska?
How many massage therapists are employed in Alaska?
Which Alaska city offers the best value for massage therapists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across Alaska. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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