Massage Therapist Salary in Rome, GA: $55,007 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Rome, GA earns a median $55,007/year (≈ $26.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Rome's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $59,084 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for massage therapists in Rome, Georgia, reaches a median of $55,007. This figure represents a competitive compensation level compared to national standards, which sit at $61,975, showing a distinct 11.24% deviation. Of the local massage therapist pay in Rome GA, the salary range spans from $33,556 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $85,261 for the highest earners (90th percentile). These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost of living, reflect the varied opportunities for massage therapists in different employment settings such as established franchises like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone versus independent practices. In this local job market, the dynamics between these employment options significantly influence both average compensation and job security.
About the Rome Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,556 | $16.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,807 | $20.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,007 | $26.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,409 | $33.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,261 | $40.99 |
Median Salary Position
11.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rome
In Rome, GA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,705 (2026 est.). At $55,007, the local median is 11.24% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rome: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rome Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Rome median: $55,007/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rome Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $57,720 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -11.24% less |
Massage Therapists in Rome, GA earn a median of $55,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.24% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $57,720.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rome 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.
Rome, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $55,007 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,084 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$38,006
2025 BLS Actual
$51,879
2026 Current Est.
$55,007
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Rome (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,006 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,716 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,636 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,255 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,092 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,278 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,879 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,007 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,324 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rome metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $38,006 (2019) to $51,879 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,324 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,318 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rome 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) | $33,556 – $41,807 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,807 – $55,007 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,007 – $70,409 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,409 – $85,261 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Rome
Currently, only eight massage therapists are employed in the Rome area, indicating a limited but specialized job market. With a cost-of-living index of 93.1, practitioners in this region face a somewhat reduced financial pressure compared to national averages, enhancing their effective purchasing power. Among local employers, franchise spas tend to pay less than independent or self-employed practitioners, who can command higher rates, particularly for specialized services. This discrepancy is often due to tip income, which can add an additional 15-25% to session fees at spas. Furthermore, building a reputable independent practice or specializing in areas like sports or oncology massage can lead to higher earnings. For those considering a career in massage therapy in Rome, maximizing income potential involves strategic choices in employment types and any possible niche specializations while being mindful of the operational costs associated with self-employment.
More salary data for Rome, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Rome, GA in 2026?
Is Rome, GA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Rome?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Rome?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Rome?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 $51,879 for massage therapistsin the Rome 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 Rome 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