Massage Therapist Pay

Massage Therapist Salary in Fairfield, CA: $54,825 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Fairfield, CA earns a median $54,825/year (≈ $26.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $48,475 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the California state average.

$54,825
Median Annual Salary
$26.36/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$31,798
Entry Level (P10)
$84,979
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Massage Therapist Salary in Fairfield, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Fairfield, CA massage therapist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for massage therapists in Fairfield, California, is estimated at $54,825. This figure is notably below the national median of $61,975, highlighting a pay gap that local professionals must navigate. The salary range for this role within Fairfield is quite broad, stretching from $31,798 at the 10th percentile to $84,979 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, reflecting the local economic climate and the competition among employers. Considering the realities of tip income especially in spa environments, where supplementary earnings can enhance overall compensation, massage therapists in this city face both challenges and opportunities in the job market.

About the Fairfield Market

Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$31,798$15.29
Lower Range (P25)$39,852$19.16
Median (P50)(typical)$54,825$26.36
Upper Range (P75)$70,176$33.74
Top Earners (P90)$84,979$40.85

Median Salary Position

$31,798$84,979
City Median: $54,825
National: $61,975
P10–P90 Range

11.54% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for massage therapists in Fairfield. The median salary is $54,825, compared to the national median of $61,975.$28.6K$43.8K$58.9K$74.1K$89.2K$31.8K10th Pctl$39.9K25th Pctl$54.8KMedian$70.2K75th Pctl$85.0K90th PctlUS Median$62.0K

In Fairfield, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,181 (2026 est.). At $54,825, the local median is 11.54% below the national median of $61,975.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of massage therapist pay in the Fairfield metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,054
per week
$4,569
per month
$54,827
per year

At 40 hours/week in Fairfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Fairfield Massage Therapist Pay Compares

Fairfield median: $54,825/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryFairfield Pays
California Average$53,176+3.10% more
National Average$61,975-11.54% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing massage therapist median salary in Fairfield ($54,825) with California average ($53,176) and the US national median ($61,975).Fairfield$54,825California Avg$53,176+3.10%US National$61,975-11.54%

Massage Therapists in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $54,825 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.54% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 3.10% above the California state average of $53,176.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$54,825
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$48,475
Adjusted Salary

Fairfield has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $54,825. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $48,475, a loss of $6,350.$41.2K$48.7K$56.2K$63.8K$71.3K$54,825NominalSalary$48,475CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $62.0K

Fairfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,825 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,475 — 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

$37,880

2025 BLS Actual

$51,707

2026 Current Est.

$54,825

2019–2027 Growth

+53.5%

Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Fairfield (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for massage therapists in Fairfield. Baseline $37,880 in 2025, projected to $58,131 by 2027.$31.9K$42.3K$52.8K$63.2K$73.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.9K$38.6K$41.5K$44.1K$48.9K$67.6K$51.7K$54.8K$58.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$37,880Actual
2020$38,588Actual
2021$41,498Actual
2022$44,108Actual
2023$48,929Actual
2024$67,635Actual
2025$51,707Actual
2026(current)$54,825Estimated
2027$58,131Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,880 (2019) to $51,707 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,131 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,251 (53.46%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$31,798$39,852
3-5 years (Mid Career)$39,852$54,825
5+ years (Experienced)$54,825$70,176
10+ years (Top Earner)$70,176$84,979

LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Massage Therapist Job Market in Fairfield

With only 25 massage therapists currently employed in Fairfield, the local job landscape appears relatively constrained, which could exert upward pressure on wages over time. The region's cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that living expenses are higher than the national average; therefore, purchasing power may be impacted by earnings that are relatively less competitive compared to the national figures. In Fairfield, higher-paying opportunities can often be found in specialized roles within chiropractic clinics, sports medicine practices, or high-end spas. This wage variance is largely driven by factors such as the self-employed versus employed structure, with solo practitioners potentially earning far more per session but also bearing full responsibility for their overhead and marketing. Additionally, therapists working in franchised chains like Massage Envy typically receive lower pay-per-session rates compared to those in private practice, where they can charge premium rates for specialized services like oncology or sports massage. For effective compensation strategies in Fairfield, therapists should consider avenues for specialization, diversify their service offerings, and seek out opportunities that allow for client tipping to enhance their income potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do massage therapists make in Fairfield, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median massage therapist salary in Fairfield is $54,825/year ($26.36/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 6.03% annual growth). Salaries range from $31,798 at entry level (10th percentile) to $84,979 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Fairfield at 11.5% below the national median. Full-time massage therapists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Fairfield, CA a good place to work as a massage therapist?

Fairfield massage therapist salaries are 11.5% below the national average and 3.1% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 25 massage therapists. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can massage therapists make $100K in Fairfield?

The median massage therapist salary in Fairfield is $54,825, and the 90th percentile earns $84,979. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Fairfield?

After adjusting for Fairfield's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $54,825 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $48,475 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Fairfield reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Fairfield?

Massage Therapists in Fairfield earn a median hourly rate of $26.36, which translates to approximately $54,825/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $15.29 for entry-level positions to $40.85 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem massage therapists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in California

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, LMTData verified by Carlos Ramirez, LMT

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 $51,707 for massage therapistsin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: