Massage Therapist Salary in Denver, CO: $64,138 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Denver, CO earns a median $64,138/year (≈ $30.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $60,632 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, massage therapists in Denver, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $64,138, which is approximately 3.49% higher than the national median of $61,975. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, from $33,834 at the 10th percentile to $107,822 at the 90th percentile. This projection, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflects the dynamic earning potential within the field. Denver's job market for massage therapists is bolstered by a growing clientele, especially among self-employed professionals who often capitalize on cash-pay opportunities, resulting in higher earnings but also presenting challenges related to overhead and marketing.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,834 | $16.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,652 | $27.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,138 | $30.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,254 | $38.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,822 | $51.84 |
Median Salary Position
3.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,988 (2026 est.). At $64,138, the local median is 3.49% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Denver median: $64,138/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $65,513 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | +3.49% more |
Massage Therapists in Denver, CO earn a median of $64,138 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 2.10% below the Colorado state average of $65,513.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,138 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,632 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,940
2025 BLS Actual
$60,490
2026 Current Est.
$64,138
2019–2027 Growth
+44.9%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,138 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,005 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 28.9% from $46,940 (2019) to $60,490 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,005 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,065 (44.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $33,834 – $56,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,652 – $64,138 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,138 – $80,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,254 – $107,822 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Denver
The local job market is vibrant, with about 1,890 massage therapists actively employed in Denver. The cost of living index stands at 105.782, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than the national average, therapists must account for living expenses that can impact their take-home pay. Among the various employment options—such as spas, chiropractic clinics, and sports medicine practices—those affiliated with high-end spas typically offer better pay compared to franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, which generally compensate therapists at a lower rate. The considerable wage disparities are driven by factors such as tips from clients, specialization in certain areas including oncology or sports massage, and the choice between self-employment and working for established businesses. To maximize their earnings in the Denver market, therapists should consider diversifying their skill set, marketing their services effectively, and exploring high-end clientele who value specialized services.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 $60,490 for massage therapistsin the Denver 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
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