Massage Therapist Salary in Fullerton, CA: $54,623 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Fullerton, CA earns a median $54,623/year (≈ $26.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Fullerton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $48,296 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the massage therapist salary in Fullerton, CA, is projected to reach an annual median of $54,623, a figure that is notably below the national median of $61,975. The salary range for therapists in this area spans from a lower threshold of $31,682 (P10) to a potential upper limit of $84,666 (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. While self-employed therapists have the potential to earn higher hourly rates through cash pay, representing a trade-off against the marketing and overhead responsibilities they must manage, employed therapists typically benefit from more stable income and a consistent client base shaped by established businesses, including popular franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone.
About the Fullerton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,682 | $15.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,462 | $18.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,623 | $26.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,918 | $33.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,666 | $40.70 |
Median Salary Position
11.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fullerton
In Fullerton, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,984 (2026 est.). At $54,623, the local median is 11.86% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fullerton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fullerton Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Fullerton median: $54,623/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fullerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,187 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | -11.86% less |
Massage Therapists in Fullerton, CA earn a median of $54,623 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.86% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.70% above the California state average of $53,187.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fullerton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fullerton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,623 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,296 — 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
$37,741
2025 BLS Actual
$51,517
2026 Current Est.
$54,623
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,741 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,446 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,346 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,946 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,749 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,386 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,623 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,917 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fullerton metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,741 (2019) to $51,517 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,917 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,176 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fullerton 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) | $31,682 – $39,462 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,462 – $54,623 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,623 – $69,918 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,918 – $84,666 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Fullerton
Employment as a massage therapist in Fullerton remains competitive, with about 25 professionals currently in practice. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, which indicates that, despite the moderate salaries, expenses in Fullerton can be relatively high, affecting overall purchasing power. Among the local employers, traditional settings like chiropractic and physical therapy clinics or integrative medicine programs may offer more substantial pay compared to franchises. Variations in earnings often stem from factors such as the self-employed versus employed compensation structure, with the potential for tipping in spas driving a significant income differential. Therapists who specialize in high-demand areas, like sports or oncology massage, may also command premium rates. To maximize earnings, establishing a personal brand and leveraging relationships with local health professionals can create opportunities for higher cash-pay clients.
More salary data for Fullerton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Fullerton, CA in 2026?
Is Fullerton, CA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Fullerton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Fullerton?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Fullerton?
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 $51,517 for massage therapistsin the Fullerton 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 Fullerton 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