Massage Therapist Salary in Augusta, GA: $62,346 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Augusta, GA earns a median $62,346/year (≈ $29.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $67,839 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Augusta, Georgia offers an intriguing opportunity for aspiring massage therapists, particularly for those considering self-employment in a market that anticipates a median salary of $62,346 in 2026, which slightly surpasses the national median of $61,975. The projected salary range shows significant variation, from $44,077 at the 10th percentile to $94,112 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the potential earnings attainable by cash-pay therapists who can manage their overhead and actively market their services. The Augusta market provides a balanced mix for massage therapist pay, offering room for growth through both employment and independent practice options.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,077 | $21.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,651 | $24.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,346 | $29.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,727 | $37.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,112 | $45.24 |
Median Salary Position
0.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, GA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,035 (2026 est.). At $62,346, the local median is 0.6% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Augusta Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Augusta median: $62,346/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $57,674 | +8.10% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +0.60% more |
Massage Therapists in Augusta, GA earn a median of $62,346 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.60% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 8.10% above the Georgia state average of $57,674.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 8.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 91.903 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $62,346 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,839 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,410
2025 BLS Actual
$58,800
2026 Current Est.
$62,346
2019–2027 Growth
+45.6%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,610 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,346 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,105 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 29.5% from $45,410 (2019) to $58,800 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,695 (45.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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) | $44,077 – $50,651 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,651 – $62,346 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,346 – $78,727 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,727 – $94,112 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Augusta
In Augusta, the job market employs around 130 massage therapists, reinforcing the city’s potential as a viable location for those in the industry. With a cost-of-living index of 91.903, living expenses are relatively low compared to the national average, enriching take-home purchasing power for massage therapists. Among potential employers, specialized clinics in chiropractic and physical therapy tend to offer higher compensation than franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone. The pay gap can be attributed to various factors, including the nature of self-employment versus traditional employment, which allows for higher hourly rates and tips of 15-25% on session fees in many spas. Strategies for maximizing pay include developing a strong client base, focusing on niche specialties such as sports or prenatal massage, and considering a combination of hourly services while also capitalizing on performance-based compensation models.
More salary data for Augusta, 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 $58,800 for massage therapistsin the Augusta 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