Massage Therapist Salary in Brea, CA: $50,450 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Brea, CA earns a median $50,450/year (≈ $24.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $44,607 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Brea, California can anticipate a median annual salary of $50,450, reflecting the unique dynamics of the local job market. With a salary range reaching from $30,330 to $78,198, there's substantial variability based on factors such as experience and type of employment. The figures presented here are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences. It's essential for aspiring massage therapists to understand that while the median here is notably lower than the national average of $61,975, tip income at spas and other service-oriented establishments can significantly augment overall earnings, contributing to a more robust financial picture than base salary alone might suggest.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,330 | $14.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,053 | $18.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,450 | $24.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,577 | $31.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,198 | $37.60 |
Median Salary Position
18.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,868 (2026 est.). At $50,450, the local median is 18.6% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Brea median: $50,450/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,161 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -18.60% less |
Massage Therapists in Brea, CA earn a median of $50,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.60% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 5.10% below the California state average of $53,161.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,450 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,607 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,857
2025 BLS Actual
$47,581
2026 Current Est.
$50,450
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,857 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,509 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,187 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,588 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,025 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,238 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,581 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,450 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,492 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $34,857 (2019) to $47,581 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,492 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,635 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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) | $30,330 – $38,053 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,053 – $50,450 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,450 – $64,577 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,577 – $78,198 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Brea
With only 10 massage therapists currently employed in Brea, the local market exhibits a relatively niche demand for these professionals. The cost of living index of 113.1 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, putting pressure on take-home pay. Factors affecting compensation include the type of employer—resort and day spas, chiropractic and physical therapy clinics, and self-employed practices all offer varying pay structures. Weighty disparities arise from the differences in employment types; self-employed therapists can command higher session fees, especially in high-end markets. Strategies to enhance earnings include targeting higher-end spas or specialty areas such as sports or prenatal massage, which often come with premium rates. Additionally, networking and securing a loyal client base can lead to increased referrals and tips, further bolstering massage therapist pay in Brea, CA.
More salary data for Brea, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Brea, CA in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Brea?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Brea?
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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 $47,581 for massage therapistsin the Brea 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
Salary data for Brea 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