Massage Therapist Salary in Dover, DE: $51,066 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Dover, DE earns a median $51,066/year (≈ $24.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $50,212 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected compensation for massage therapists in Dover, Delaware is set at a median annual salary of $51,066, which is notably less than the national median of $61,975. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, from $29,618 at the lower end (P10) to $79,152 at the upper end (P90), reflecting diverse income opportunities within the city. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, underscore the impact of tip income generated in spas, where therapists often enhance their earnings significantly. Such a reality can influence potential earnings, especially with spas representing a major employment sector in Dover's market.
About the Dover Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,618 | $14.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,091 | $19.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,066 | $24.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,364 | $31.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,152 | $38.05 |
Median Salary Position
17.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,534 (2026 est.). At $51,066, the local median is 17.6% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dover Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Dover median: $51,066/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $51,530 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -17.60% less |
Massage Therapists in Dover, DE earn a median of $51,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.60% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.90% below the Delaware state average of $51,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,066 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,212 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,283
2025 BLS Actual
$48,162
2026 Current Est.
$51,066
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,283 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,942 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,653 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,084 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,575 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,376 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,162 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,066 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $35,283 (2019) to $48,162 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,862 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $29,618 – $40,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,091 – $51,066 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,066 – $65,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,364 – $79,152 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Dover
Currently, Dover has seven licensed massage therapists employed in the area, illustrating a relatively small job market for this profession. With a cost of living index standing at 101.7, living expenses are slightly above the national average, affecting the purchasing power of massage therapist pay in Dover, DE. Spa employers, including local franchises like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, tend to offer lower wages, while self-employed therapists can command higher fees per session, sometimes reaching $150 per hour without agency deductions. This dynamic creates substantial discrepancies between employed and self-employed earnings, compounded by the potential for additional income from tips at spas, which can range from 15% to 25%. Therapists looking to maximize their pay here might consider specializations such as sports or prenatal massage, which can also attract higher rates and clientele.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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 $48,162 for massage therapistsin the Dover 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 Dover 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