Massage Therapist Salary in Lakewood, CO: $65,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Lakewood, CO earns a median $65,544/year (≈ $31.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $62,423 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a massage therapist in Lakewood, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $65,544, which outperforms the national average by 5.76%. The salary range stretches from $38,846 at the 10th percentile to $101,593 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earning potential for those at the top of their profession. According to estimates derived from BLS state-level data and BEA Regional Price Parities, these figures reflect local market conditions while also accounting for the region's cost of living. The opportunity for self-employed massage therapists, who often set their rates higher than those working in spa or clinic settings, poses a trade-off; while they have the potential to earn significantly more, they also bear the burdens of overhead and the need for effective marketing strategies.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,846 | $18.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,201 | $23.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,544 | $31.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,895 | $40.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,593 | $48.84 |
Median Salary Position
5.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CO, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,747 (2026 est.). At $65,544, the local median is 5.76% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $65,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $65,478 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +5.76% more |
Massage Therapists in Lakewood, CO earn a median of $65,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.76% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $65,478.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,544 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,423 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,286
2025 BLS Actual
$61,816
2026 Current Est.
$65,544
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,286 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,132 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,611 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,731 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,495 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,149 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,816 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,496 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $45,286 (2019) to $61,816 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,496 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,210 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $38,846 – $49,201 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,201 – $65,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,544 – $83,895 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,895 – $101,593 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Lakewood
Among the 27 massage therapists employed in Lakewood, the local job market offers a variety of lucrative opportunities, particularly for those who navigate the differences in pay across various settings. The cost-of-living index in Lakewood sits at 105, indicating that while salaries are relatively strong, purchasing power can be impacted by higher living costs. Employers such as high-end spas can provide more competitive compensation compared to franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, where pay is typically lower, often based on service rates rather than hourly wages. Variations in pay can also arise from specialty skills—therapists who offer services in oncology, sports massage, or prenatal care often command higher fees. To maximize earnings in this specific market, focusing on building a robust client base through direct marketing and considering self-employment may be particularly effective strategies for astute massage therapists in Lakewood, CO.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $61,816 for massage therapistsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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