Massage Therapist Salary in Inglewood, CA: $54,258 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Inglewood, CA earns a median $54,258/year (≈ $26.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Inglewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,973 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Inglewood, California, offers a competitive pathway for those in the massage therapy profession, with a projected median annual salary of $54,258 for 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $61,975, reflecting the unique dynamics of the local market. Salary ranges for massage therapists in the area span from a lower percentile of $31,470 to an upper echelon of $84,100, highlighting the potential for significant income variability based on factors such as employment type and individual skill specialization. Franchises like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically offer more consistent but lower pay structures compared to self-employed massage therapists who can command higher rates for direct-pay services, albeit with greater pressure to manage operational costs and client acquisition.
About the Inglewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,470 | $15.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,066 | $18.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,258 | $26.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,450 | $33.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,100 | $40.43 |
Median Salary Position
12.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Inglewood
In Inglewood, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,630 (2026 est.). At $54,258, the local median is 12.45% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Inglewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Inglewood Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Inglewood median: $54,258/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Inglewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,194 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | -12.45% less |
Massage Therapists in Inglewood, CA earn a median of $54,258 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.45% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.00% above the California state average of $53,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Inglewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Inglewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,258 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,973 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,488
2025 BLS Actual
$51,172
2026 Current Est.
$54,258
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Inglewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,488 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,189 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,069 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,652 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,423 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,935 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,172 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,258 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,529 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Inglewood metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,488 (2019) to $51,172 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,529 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,041 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Inglewood 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) | $31,470 – $39,066 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,066 – $54,258 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,258 – $69,450 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,450 – $84,100 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Inglewood
The job market for massage therapists in Inglewood is relatively robust, with 21 professionals currently employed, suggesting a stable demand for services amidst a cost of living index of 113.1. This higher-than-average living cost impacts take-home pay, and therapists must navigate these economic realities to thrive locally. Among various employment settings, franchises tend to deliver more predictable earnings but less generous compensation compared to specialized positions in luxury spas, chiropractic offices, and integrative medicine practices. Tips, which can add 15-25% to service fees in spas, further contribute to income ranges. To maximize earning potential in this market, aspiring massage therapists should consider developing niche skills, targeting higher-end clientele, and strategically promoting themselves as self-employed practitioners, which can lead to increased client loyalty and higher service fees.
More salary data for Inglewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $51,172 for massage therapistsin the Inglewood 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 Inglewood 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