Massage Therapist Salary in Davis, CA: $51,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Davis, CA earns a median $51,461/year (≈ $24.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $45,500 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapist salary in Davis, California, is projected to reach a median of $51,461, which reflects a lower compensation compared to the national median of $61,975. The salary range for therapists in the area spans from $29,963 at the lower end (P10) to $79,764 (P90) for those with considerable experience or specialized skills. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, emphasize the dual potential and challenges of working in Davis. While cash-pay self-employed therapists can command up to $150 per session, they must also manage overhead and marketing expenses that larger establishments, like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, take care of in exchange for lower pay and more consistent bookings.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,963 | $14.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,194 | $18.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,461 | $24.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,764 | $38.35 |
Median Salary Position
16.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,801 (2026 est.). At $51,461, the local median is 16.96% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Davis median: $51,461/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,162 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -16.96% less |
Massage Therapists in Davis, CA earn a median of $51,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.96% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 3.20% below the California state average of $53,162.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,461 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,500 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$35,556
2025 BLS Actual
$48,534
2026 Current Est.
$51,461
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Davis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,556 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,952 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,401 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,927 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,485 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,534 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,564 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $35,556 (2019) to $48,534 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,564 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,008 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis 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) | $29,963 – $38,194 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,194 – $51,461 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,461 – $65,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,870 – $79,764 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Davis
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently 14 employed massage therapists in Davis, highlighting a niche but potentially competitive field. The cost-of-living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, everyday expenses are relatively higher, impacting take-home pay. Spas, particularly luxury and resort types, typically compensate their staff more generously than franchise chains or lower-tier operations. The difference in pay often hinges on various factors, including the therapist's payment structure—self-employed practitioners often see a significant variance from those employed by institutions. Strategies for maximizing income in this market include focusing on niche specialties like oncology or prenatal massage and exploring in-home or mobile services, which can afford more lucrative cash-pay arrangements. Understanding the dynamics of employer types in Davis can give therapists an edge in elevating their compensation prospects.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Davis, CA in 2026?
Is Davis, CA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Davis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Davis?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Davis?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $48,534 for massage therapistsin the Davis 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 Davis 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