Massage Therapist Salary in Honolulu, HI: $78,673 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Honolulu, HI earns a median $78,673/year (≈ $37.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $65,946 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the massage therapist salary in Honolulu is projected to average around $78,673 annually, representing a substantial 26.94% premium above the national median salary of $61,975 for the same profession. The pay spectrum in the city ranges from $45,630 at the 10th percentile to $121,943 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial variation based on experience, employment setting, and clientele. This data, derived from 2025 BLS state-level estimates adjusted for regional cost factors, highlights key salary differences influenced by employment models. For instance, franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone tend to offer lower pay compared to self-employed practitioners, who often enjoy the flexibility of setting their rates and potentially increasing their earnings significantly, especially in a thriving tourism-focused economy.
About the Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,644 | $27.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,673 | $37.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,702 | $48.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,943 | $58.62 |
Median Salary Position
26.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Honolulu
In Honolulu, HI, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,313 (2026 est.). At $78,673, the local median is 26.94% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Honolulu Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Honolulu median: $78,673/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $73,941 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +26.94% more |
Massage Therapists in Honolulu, HI earn a median of $78,673 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.94% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 6.40% above the Hawaii state average of $73,941.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,673 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,946 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,358
2025 BLS Actual
$74,199
2026 Current Est.
$78,673
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,358 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,373 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,294 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,213 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,199 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,673 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,417 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Honolulu metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $54,358 (2019) to $74,199 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,417 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,059 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Honolulu 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) | $45,630 – $56,644 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,644 – $78,673 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,673 – $100,702 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,702 – $121,943 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Honolulu
Honolulu's job market for massage therapists features 68 professionals currently employed, showcasing a steady demand for therapeutic services. However, the cost of living, indexed at 119.3, can significantly impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include upscale spas at luxury resorts, chiropractic clinics, and specialized practices such as sports medicine and integrative health programs. The wide pay range can stem from various factors, including the differences in self-employed versus employed structures, where the latter typically guarantees steadier income but at reduced rates. Tips also play a significant role, contributing to annual earnings at spas where gratuities can range from 15% to 25% of service fees. To maximize pay in this competitive Honolulu market, therapists should consider gaining specializations that command higher rates, leveraging effective marketing strategies for their services, and cultivating relationships with high-end clientele to drive volume and quality referrals.
More salary data for Honolulu, HI:
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 $74,199 for massage therapistsin the Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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