Massage Therapist Pay

Massage Therapist Salary in Colorado: $65,656 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $65,656/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,530 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($71,870), Greeley ($64,020), Arvada ($63,249).

Massage Therapist Salary in Colorado - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Colorado massage therapist salary overview (2026)
$65,656
Avg Median Salary
$31.56
Avg Hourly Rate
3,939
Metro Employed
33
Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for massage therapists in Colorado is projected to be $65,656, which is 5.9% higher than the national median of $61,975. The highest paying city in the state is Boulder, where salaries can reach $76,204, while the lowest paying city, Golden, offers $60,282. This salary gap of $15,922 between Boulder and Golden can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for wellness services, and the concentration of clientele in urban versus suburban areas. In Colorado, it's essential to comply with state licensing requirements and understand the scope of practice laws, which govern what massage therapists can and cannot do. The projected annual growth rate for this profession is 6.03%, indicating a positive job market outlook. With a total of 3,939 massage therapists employed across 33 metro areas, the demand for skilled practitioners is driven by a growing awareness of health and wellness, as well as increased stress management needs among the population. Top projected salaries in 2026 for other cities in the state include Greeley at $67,880, Arvada at $67,063, Thornton at $66,523, and Grand Junction at $66,322, highlighting a diverse range of opportunities in various regions within Colorado.

Colorado Massage Therapist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$39,942
avg across 33 cities
Median
$65,656
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$108,824
avg across 33 cities

Overall salary range in Colorado: $33,442 (lowest entry-level) to $132,548 (highest top earner)

Colorado vs National Average

Colorado
$65,656
National Median
$61,975

Colorado massage therapists earn 5.94% more than the national median (+$3,681/year difference).

Colorado Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Colorado massage therapist salary percentiles: 10th percentile $39,942, 25th $56,986, Median $65,656, 75th $87,730, 90th $108,824. US national median is $61,975.$30.5K$60.9K$91.4K$121.9K$39.9K10thEntry Level$57.0K25thEarly Career$65.7KMedianMid Career$87.7K75thExperienced$108.8K90thTop EarnerUS Median $62.0K

Massage Therapist salaries in Colorado range from $39,942 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $108,824 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,656. The Colorado median is $3,681 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $31.56/hr. Approximately 3,939 massage therapists are employed across 33 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$46,061

2025 BLS Actual

$61,922

2026 Current Est.

$65,656

2019–2027 Growth

+51.1%

Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Colorado (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for massage therapists in Colorado. Baseline $46,061 in 2025, projected to $69,615 by 2027.$41.4K$49.6K$57.8K$66.1K$74.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$46.1K$46.3K$48.2K$51.1K$55.8K$61.2K$61.9K$65.7K$69.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$46,061Actual
2020$46,308Actual
2021$48,199Actual
2022$51,094Actual
2023$55,842Actual
2024$61,202Actual
2025$61,922Actual
2026(current)$65,656Estimated
2027$69,615Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 34.4% from $46,061 (2019) to $61,922 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,615 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,554 (51.14%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado

#1
Boulder
420 employed · $36.63/hr
$76,204
+16.07% vs avg
#2
Greeley
120 employed · $32.64/hr
$67,880
+3.39% vs avg
#3
Arvada
31 employed · $32.24/hr
$67,063
+2.14% vs avg
#4
Thornton
34 employed · $31.98/hr
$66,523
+1.32% vs avg
#5
Grand Junction
90 employed · $31.88/hr
$66,322
+1.01% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado

CityMedian Salary
Golden$60,282
Evans$60,657
Louisville$61,011
Durango$61,370
Steamboat Springs$61,759

Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Colorado

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Boulder$76,204105.202$72,436
Pueblo$64,05391.762$69,803
Grand Junction$66,32295.476$69,465
Greeley$67,880100.176$67,761
Fort Collins$65,495101.128$64,764

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Colorado

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$39,942
Mid Career (3-7 years)$65,656
Experienced (7+ years)$108,824

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 33 Cities in Colorado

#CityMedian Salary
1Boulder$76,204
2Greeley$67,880
3Arvada$67,063
4Thornton$66,523
5Grand Junction$66,322
6Westminster$65,862
7Lakewood$65,544
8Fort Collins$65,495
9Parker$64,920
10Erie$64,803
11Centennial$64,725
12Windsor$64,640
13Castle Rock$64,516
14Broomfield$64,495
15Longmont$64,474
16Denver$64,138
17Pueblo$64,053
18Englewood$63,980
19Loveland$63,925
20Colorado Springs$63,650
21Commerce City$63,535
22Lafayette$63,385
23Wheat Ridge$63,019
24Aurora$62,729
25Brighton$62,429
26Littleton$62,222
27Fountain$62,186
28Northglenn$62,125
29Steamboat Springs$61,759
30Durango$61,370
31Louisville$61,011
32Evans$60,657
33Golden$60,282

More Colorado Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore massage therapist hourly pay in Colorado cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new massage therapists.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.

Compare Cities in Colorado

View all comparisons →

Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do massage therapists make in Colorado in 2026?

The average median massage therapist salary in Colorado is $65,656/year across 33 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $60,282 in Golden to $76,204 in Boulder. This makes Colorado one of the higher-paying states, at 5.94% above the national median of $61,975. The state employs approximately 3,939 massage therapists.

What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Colorado?

Boulder offers the highest massage therapist salary in Colorado at $76,204/year ($36.63/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Boulder ($76,204), Greeley ($67,880), Arvada ($67,063). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for massage therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed massage therapists.

How does Colorado massage therapist pay compare to the national average?

Colorado's average massage therapist salary of $65,656 is 5.94% above the national median of $61,975 in 2026. The state employs approximately 3,939 massage therapists across 33 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Colorado?

Entry-level massage therapists (10th percentile) in Colorado earn approximately $39,942/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $33,442 in lower-paying areas to $58,412 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many massage therapists are employed in Colorado?

Colorado employs approximately 3,939 massage therapists across 33 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the massage therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which Colorado city offers the best value for massage therapists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Boulder offers the highest purchasing power for massage therapists in Colorado, with an adjusted salary of $72,436 (nominal: $76,204, CoL index: 105.202). This means your dollar goes 5% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, LMTData verified by Carlos Ramirez, LMT

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

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

Last verified: