Massage Therapist Salary in Phoenix, AZ: $66,884 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Phoenix, AZ earns a median $66,884/year (≈ $32.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Phoenix's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $64,737 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Massage therapists in Phoenix, Arizona, can anticipate a median annual salary of $66,884 based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. This figure reflects a salary range from $40,069 at the 10th percentile to $101,248 at the 90th percentile, indicating potential for substantial income for skilled therapists. Additionally, the hourly median pay is estimated at $32.16. When compared to the national median of $61,975, this represents an encouraging 7.92% increase, highlighting Phoenix's competitive market for massage therapy professionals. As the local economy grows and demand for therapeutic services increases, opportunities for massage therapists are likely to expand across both traditional and self-employed practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,069 | $19.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,478 | $26.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,884 | $32.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,248 | $48.68 |
Median Salary Position
7.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Phoenix
In Phoenix, AZ, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,179 (2026 est.). At $66,884, the local median is 7.92% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Phoenix: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Phoenix Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Phoenix median: $66,884/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Phoenix Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $61,025 | +9.60% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +7.92% more |
Massage Therapists in Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $66,884 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.92% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 9.60% above the Arizona state average of $61,025.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Phoenix has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Phoenix, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 103.316 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,884 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,737 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,580
2025 BLS Actual
$63,080
2026 Current Est.
$66,884
2019–2027 Growth
+74.8%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,884 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,917 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Phoenix metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 55.4% from $40,580 (2019) to $63,080 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,917 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,337 (74.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Phoenix 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $40,069 – $54,478 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,478 – $66,884 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,884 – $77,190 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,190 – $101,248 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Phoenix
In Phoenix, approximately 1,890 massage therapists are currently employed, contributing to a robust local job market. The cost of living index sits at 103.316, suggesting that while salaries in the region may be higher than the national average, the expenses related to housing and daily living can impact take-home pay. Spas, chiropractic clinics, and hotel spas are among the highest-paying employers for massage therapists in Phoenix. However, the pay disparity between self-employed therapists and those working for franchises like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone is significant, driven by factors such as tip income, which can range from 15-25% of session fees, and the specialties offered. For therapists looking to maximize their income potential, focusing on self-employment and targeting high-end clientele or specialty services is advisable, as these avenues often yield higher earnings compared to traditional employment.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,080 for massage therapistsin the Phoenix metropolitan area. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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