Massage Therapist Salary in Daly City, CA: $54,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Daly City, CA earns a median $54,576/year (≈ $26.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $48,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Daly City, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $54,576, which falls significantly below the national median of $61,975. Salaries in this sector demonstrate a wide range, with lower earners making around $31,654 (P10) and those in the upper echelon reaching up to $84,593 (P90). These figures, derived from state-level estimates and adjusted for regional cost of living, reflect the local market dynamics. Franchise operations such as Massage Envy and Hand & Stone offer consistent employment but typically result in lower earnings compared to self-employed practitioners and independent therapists, which can boost their income considerably based on clientele and pricing strategies.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,654 | $15.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,371 | $18.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,576 | $26.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,857 | $33.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,593 | $40.67 |
Median Salary Position
11.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,939 (2026 est.). At $54,576, the local median is 11.94% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Daly City median: $54,576/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,193 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | -11.94% less |
Massage Therapists in Daly City, CA earn a median of $54,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.94% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.60% above the California state average of $53,193.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,576 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,255 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,708
2025 BLS Actual
$51,472
2026 Current Est.
$54,576
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,708 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,412 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,908 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,707 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,327 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,472 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,867 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,708 (2019) to $51,472 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,867 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,159 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $31,654 – $39,371 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,371 – $54,576 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,576 – $69,857 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,857 – $84,593 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Daly City
The job market for massage therapists in Daly City is relatively stable, with around 20 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index in Daly City is 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average expense for residents, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power. In this competitive landscape, those employed by high-end spas or specialized clinics often fare better than those in franchise settings, which may offer lower pay through hourly rates and service structures. The noticeable gap in pay can be attributed to several factors, such as self-employed therapists garnering tips ranging from 15-25% of their fees, while specific skills like oncology or sports massage can command higher fees. To maximize earnings in the Daly City market, practitioners might consider diversifying their skills, networking effectively, and exploring direct-client relationships to enhance their client base and income opportunities.
More salary data for Daly City, 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 $51,472 for massage therapistsin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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