Massage Therapist Salary in Santa Clarita, CA: $54,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Santa Clarita, CA earns a median $54,329/year (≈ $26.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Santa Clarita's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $48,036 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Santa Clarita, California, can expect a median annual salary of $54,329, which is notably lower than the national median of $61,975. Local salaries vary considerably, ranging from $31,511 at the 10th percentile to $84,209 at the 90th percentile, and these figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for cost of living in the area. In addition to base pay, many therapists in this market earn supplemental income through tips at spas and clinics, where gratuities can add an additional 15-25% to session prices. The combination of salary and tips provides a clearer picture of earnings for professionals operating in the dynamic job market of Santa Clarita.
About the Santa Clarita Market
Salary estimated from California average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,511 | $15.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,267 | $19.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,329 | $26.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,541 | $33.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,209 | $40.48 |
Median Salary Position
12.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, CA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,698 (2026 est.). At $54,329, the local median is 12.34% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clarita Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Santa Clarita median: $54,329/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $53,159 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | -12.34% less |
Massage Therapists in Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $54,329 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.34% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.20% above the California state average of $53,159.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clarita has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clarita, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,329 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,036 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,537
2025 BLS Actual
$51,239
2026 Current Est.
$54,329
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Santa Clarita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,537 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,239 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,123 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,709 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,486 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,023 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,239 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clarita metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $37,537 (2019) to $51,239 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,068 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clarita 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) | $31,511 – $40,267 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,267 – $54,329 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,329 – $69,541 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,541 – $84,209 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Santa Clarita
The local job market employs 41 massage therapists, indicative of a steady demand for therapeutic services in Santa Clarita. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that living expenses are slightly higher than the national average. Employers vary widely in compensation; while franchise operations like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone often provide a less lucrative pay structure, self-employed therapists can maximize income by retaining all session fees, especially in specialty areas such as sports, oncology, or prenatal massage. To boost their earnings, practitioners should consider diversifying their skills and services, leveraging their client networks, and focusing on high-end clientele who are more likely to appreciate the value of well-executed therapy. Understanding these local dynamics can help therapists effectively navigate the compensation landscape in Santa Clarita, CA.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Santa Clarita, CA in 2026?
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Can massage therapists make $100K in Santa Clarita?
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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 $51,239 for massage therapistsin the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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