Massage Therapist Salary in Huntington Beach, CA: $53,360 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Huntington Beach, CA earns a median $53,360/year (≈ $25.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Huntington Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,179 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huntington Beach, California, massage therapists can expect a median annual salary of $53,360 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $61,975. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $31,798 at the lower end (P10) to $82,708 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect both the local cost of living adjustments and demand for services. While many therapists work within established businesses, the lucrative potential for self-employed practitioners often comes with the challenges of overhead costs and marketing efforts. As such, those in Huntington Beach who navigate the self-employment route can find greater financial rewards, but this hinges on their ability to attract and retain clients.
About the Huntington Beach 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) | $40,228 | $19.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,300 | $32.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,708 | $39.76 |
Median Salary Position
13.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington Beach
In Huntington Beach, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,910 (2026 est.). At $53,360, the local median is 13.9% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntington Beach Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Huntington Beach median: $53,360/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,200 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | -13.90% less |
Massage Therapists in Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $53,360 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.90% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.30% above the California state average of $53,200.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,360 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,179 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,868
2025 BLS Actual
$50,325
2026 Current Est.
$53,360
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Huntington Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,868 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,556 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,389 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,929 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,621 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,827 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,325 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,360 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington Beach metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,868 (2019) to $50,325 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,709 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington Beach 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 – $40,228 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,228 – $53,360 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,360 – $68,300 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,300 – $82,708 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Huntington Beach
The job market for massage therapists in Huntington Beach is modestly sized, with around 50 employed in the area. However, the region has a relatively high cost-of-living index of 113.1, which can impact take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Employers like high-end spas and specialized clinics often pay more compared to franchise chains such as Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, which typically have lower rates due to their business model. Factors influencing wage disparities include the structure of employed versus self-employed positions, tips from clients, and the niche market for specialized therapies that can command higher fees. Therefore, therapists looking to maximize their compensation should consider building a strong local presence and targetting specific segments of clientele, such as prenatal or sports therapy, which often come with premium pricing.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Huntington Beach, CA in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Huntington Beach?
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Related Pages
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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 $50,325 for massage therapistsin the Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach 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