Massage Therapist Salary in Moreno Valley, CA: $53,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Moreno Valley, CA earns a median $53,667/year (≈ $25.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Moreno Valley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $47,451 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual massage therapist salary in Moreno Valley is projected to reach $53,667, reflecting a local market that fits within the broader financial context where the national median stands at $61,975. Local estimates show that salaries range from $31,127 at the bottom 10th percentile to $83,184 at the top 90th percentile, indicating significant diversity in earnings based on experience, employer type, and practice setting. Independent practitioners typically generate higher earnings compared to therapists employed by franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, which tend to offer more stability but often at lower pay rates. The variance in compensation emphasizes the importance of choosing the right employment model tailored to both skills and financial goals in Moreno Valley's evolving job market.
About the Moreno Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,127 | $14.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,018 | $18.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,667 | $25.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,694 | $33.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,184 | $39.99 |
Median Salary Position
13.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moreno Valley
In Moreno Valley, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,057 (2026 est.). At $53,667, the local median is 13.41% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moreno Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moreno Valley Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Moreno Valley median: $53,667/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moreno Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,188 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | -13.41% less |
Massage Therapists in Moreno Valley, CA earn a median of $53,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.41% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.90% above the California state average of $53,188.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moreno Valley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moreno Valley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,667 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,451 — 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
$37,080
2025 BLS Actual
$50,615
2026 Current Est.
$53,667
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Moreno Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,622 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,176 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,896 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,207 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,615 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moreno Valley metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,080 (2019) to $50,615 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,823 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moreno Valley 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) | $31,127 – $39,018 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,018 – $53,667 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,667 – $68,694 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,694 – $83,184 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Moreno Valley
The massage therapy job market in Moreno Valley comprises approximately 53 employed massage therapists, navigating a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which is above the national average and influences take-home purchasing power significantly. Spas, including well-known brands as well as high-end facilities, tend to pay more compared to the average rates at franchises. While self-employed therapists have the potential to earn top dollar—essentially clearing between $80 to $150 per hour for direct-pay clients—they must also manage overhead costs and self-promotion challenges. The disparities between lower and higher-paying opportunities can also be attributed to various factors such as specialization in areas like sports or prenatal massage, as well as the prevalence of tips, which can add 15-25% to a spa therapist's income. To maximize pay in Moreno Valley, skill enhancement, networking, and targeting higher-end clientele or specialized services are prudent strategies for professionals in this field.
More salary data for Moreno Valley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Moreno Valley, CA in 2026?
Is Moreno Valley, CA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Moreno Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Moreno Valley?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Moreno Valley?
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 $50,615 for massage therapistsin the Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley 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