Massage Therapist Salary in Murrieta, CA: $53,064 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Murrieta, CA earns a median $53,064/year (≈ $25.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $46,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the annual compensation for massage therapists in Murrieta, California, is projected at $53,064. This reflects a competitive pay structure when compared to the national median of $61,975, indicating a 14.38% shortfall. The salary range for local professionals varies significantly, from $31,216 at the 10th percentile to $82,249 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlight the disparity in earnings based on employment type. Franchise establishments like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically offer stable income but tend to pay less than independent practitioners who manage their own client base. As a result, the job market in Murrieta presents various pathways for therapists, with earnings largely influenced by the nature of their employment.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,216 | $15.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,657 | $19.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,064 | $25.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,922 | $32.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,249 | $39.54 |
Median Salary Position
14.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,033 (2026 est.). At $53,064, the local median is 14.38% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $53,064/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,170 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -14.38% less |
Massage Therapists in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $53,064 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.38% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.20% below the California state average of $53,170.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,064 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,918 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,663
2025 BLS Actual
$50,046
2026 Current Est.
$53,064
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,663 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,348 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,165 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,691 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,357 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,462 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,046 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,064 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,264 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $36,663 (2019) to $50,046 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,264 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,601 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $31,216 – $39,657 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,657 – $53,064 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,064 – $67,922 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,922 – $82,249 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Murrieta
A closer examination of the local massage therapy market reveals an employment figure of 25 massage therapists in Murrieta, a relatively small workforce in a city with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which is above the national average. This higher cost of living requires therapists to be savvy in maximizing their take-home pay. Among employers, franchise locations generally offer lower hourly rates compared to self-employed therapists who can charge premium rates, especially in niche markets such as oncology or sports therapy. The income gap in the field is further affected by factors such as tipping practices in spas, where gratuities can account for 15-25% of service fees. To enhance earning potential, therapists in Murrieta should consider diversifying their skills, focusing on marketing their services effectively, and establishing a strong client relationship to drive repeat business and referrals. Understanding the local salary structure and cost dynamics is essential for navigating career growth in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Murrieta, 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 $50,046 for massage therapistsin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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