Massage Therapist Salary in Albany, GA: $57,165 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Albany, GA earns a median $57,165/year (≈ $27.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Albany's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $61,402 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Albany, Georgia, massage therapy offers a competitive earnings potential with a median annual salary projected at $57,165 for 2026, slightly below the national median of $61,975. The salary range varies widely, from $33,156 at the 10th percentile to $88,606 at the 90th percentile, indicating that the market accommodates both entry-level and highly experienced therapists. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity in Albany. The pay structure in this city often sees franchise employees, like those at Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, earning less compared to independent practitioners, who can command higher rates due to direct cash payments and fewer operational overheads, impacting the overall massage therapist pay in Albany, GA.
About the Albany Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,156 | $15.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,019 | $21.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,165 | $27.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,171 | $35.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,606 | $42.60 |
Median Salary Position
7.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, GA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,450 (2026 est.). At $57,165, the local median is 7.76% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albany Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Albany median: $57,165/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $57,684 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -7.76% less |
Massage Therapists in Albany, GA earn a median of $57,165 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.76% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.90% below the Georgia state average of $57,684.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $57,165 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,402 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,497
2025 BLS Actual
$53,914
2026 Current Est.
$57,165
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,497 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,235 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,991 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,018 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,914 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,165 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,612 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $39,497 (2019) to $53,914 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,612 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,115 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $33,156 – $44,019 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,019 – $57,165 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,165 – $73,171 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,171 – $88,606 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Albany
The local job market for massage therapists in Albany comprises around 12 professionals, demonstrating a niche but stable employment landscape. The cost-of-living index in Albany sits at 93.1, which suggests that while some expenses are lower than the national average, take-home pay must adequately cover local living costs. Among the various employers, franchises tend to pay less than independent practices, with the latter allowing for tips that can significantly boost income—often adding 15-25% to each session fee, particularly in spa settings. Specialty massage fields, including oncology or sports massage, can also draw higher rates. To maximize earnings, therapists should explore variables such as client retention in self-employed roles, leveraging their skills to attract high-paying clientele, and considering additional certifications through organizations like ABMP or AMTA for a competitive edge.
More salary data for Albany, GA:
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 $53,914 for massage therapistsin the Albany 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 Albany 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