Massage Therapist Salary in Burbank, CA: $52,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Burbank, CA earns a median $52,518/year (≈ $25.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Burbank's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $46,435 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, individuals working in the massage therapy field in Burbank could expect a median annual salary of $52,518, reflecting the local economic environment and demand for these services. The salary range indicates significant potential for earnings, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $30,460 and the highest 90% bringing in around $81,402. These projections are developed from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost differences. While the local remuneration is lower than the national median of $61,975, the diverse landscape in Burbank offers numerous avenues for successful practitioners, providing opportunities in various settings such as spas, clinics, and private practices.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,460 | $14.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,812 | $18.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,518 | $25.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,223 | $32.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,402 | $39.14 |
Median Salary Position
15.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burbank
In Burbank, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,942 (2026 est.). At $52,518, the local median is 15.26% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burbank: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burbank Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Burbank median: $52,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burbank Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,156 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -15.26% less |
Massage Therapists in Burbank, CA earn a median of $52,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.26% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 1.20% below the California state average of $53,156.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burbank has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burbank, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,518 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,435 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,286
2025 BLS Actual
$49,531
2026 Current Est.
$52,518
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Burbank (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,286 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,964 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,752 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,252 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,788 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,531 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,685 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burbank metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,286 (2019) to $49,531 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,399 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank 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) | $30,460 – $37,812 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,812 – $52,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,518 – $67,223 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,223 – $81,402 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Burbank
With only 22 massage therapists currently employed in Burbank, the market appears relatively niche, which may influence competition and client demand. The cost of living index for Burbank is at 113.1, signifying a higher-than-average expense for residents when compared to national standards. This factor impacts take-home income for massage therapists after accounting for living expenses. Among employers, those operating within high-end spas or specialized clinics often pay more compared to franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, which tend to offer lower rates and hourly guarantees. Significant pay disparity exists, driven by opportunities for tips, with gratuities fluctuating between 15% to 25% at some facilities, as well as by areas of specialization. To maximize their pay in Burbank, massage therapists should consider building private practices to leverage higher service rates while managing marketing and operational costs wisely.
More salary data for Burbank, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $49,531 for massage therapistsin the Burbank 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 Burbank 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