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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
11.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Fairfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,176 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | -11.54% less |
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
Fairfield has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
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.
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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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,588 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,498 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,108 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,635 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,707 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,825 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,131 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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) | $31,798 – $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.
More salary data for Fairfield, 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 $51,707 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).
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