Massage Therapist Salary in Buena Park, CA: $53,848 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Buena Park, CA earns a median $53,848/year (≈ $25.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Buena Park's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,611 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Buena Park, California, licensed massage therapists can expect a median annual salary of $53,848 in 2026, reflecting a competitive wage within the region. The salary range varies considerably, with the lowest earners making approximately $31,232 and the highest reaching up to $83,465. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, adjusted for local economic factors and cost of living, providing a realistic snapshot of what massage therapists can earn in the area. Notably, this figure trails the national median of $61,975, highlighting the localized nuances affecting massage therapist pay in Buena Park, CA.
About the Buena Park Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,232 | $15.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,667 | $19.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,848 | $25.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,926 | $33.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,465 | $40.13 |
Median Salary Position
13.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buena Park
In Buena Park, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,233 (2026 est.). At $53,848, the local median is 13.11% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buena Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buena Park Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Buena Park median: $53,848/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buena Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,157 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | -13.11% less |
Massage Therapists in Buena Park, CA earn a median of $53,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 1.30% above the California state average of $53,157.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buena Park has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buena Park, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,848 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,611 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,205
2025 BLS Actual
$50,786
2026 Current Est.
$53,848
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Buena Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,205 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,901 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,759 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,322 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,058 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,786 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,848 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,095 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buena Park metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,205 (2019) to $50,786 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,095 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,890 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buena Park 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) | $31,232 – $39,667 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,667 – $53,848 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,848 – $68,926 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,926 – $83,465 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Buena Park
The job market for massage therapists in Buena Park is not particularly large, with only 20 professionals currently employed, yet the growing industry presents opportunities for those skilled in various therapies. The cost of living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power is affected by local prices and expenses. Spa employers like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone tend to pay lower compared to independent practitioners, who can earn significantly more from direct pay clients. The income potential can greatly increase for those specializing in niches such as sports or prenatal massage, as well as for therapists who can capitalize on tip income from services typically yielding an additional 15-25%. Therapists in Buena Park may find it beneficial to explore options in self-employment to maximize earnings, given the stark pay disparity between franchise establishments and solo practice ventures.
More salary data for Buena Park, CA:
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 $50,786 for massage therapistsin the Buena Park 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 Buena Park 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