Massage Therapist Salary in Lafayette, LA: $37,757 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Lafayette, LA earns a median $37,757/year (≈ $18.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $43,295 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the 2026 median annual salary for massage therapists is projected to be $37,757, significantly lower than the national median of $61,975. Salary ranges from $18,301 at the low end (P10) to $48,848 for those at the higher end (P90), illustrating a diverse pay gradient in the massage therapy profession. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and local therapists find themselves navigating a market influenced by both franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, which typically offer lower hourly rates, and the more lucrative avenues of self-employment. As such, the choice of employment structure can greatly impact earnings potential in Lafayette's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18,301 | $8.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18,725 | $9.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,757 | $18.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,625 | $23.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,848 | $23.49 |
Median Salary Position
39.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,547 (2026 est.). At $37,757, the local median is 39.08% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $37,757/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $40,425 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -39.08% less |
Massage Therapists in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $37,757 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.08% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 6.60% below the Louisiana state average of $40,425.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $37,757 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,295 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,750
2025 BLS Actual
$35,610
2026 Current Est.
$37,757
2019–2027 Growth
+-4.1%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $22,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,075 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,757 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,034 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew -14.7% from $41,750 (2019) to $35,610 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,034 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,716 (-4.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $18,301 – $18,725 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $18,725 – $37,757 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,757 – $48,625 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,625 – $48,848 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Lafayette
With a workforce of around 90 massage therapists, Lafayette's local job market demonstrates steady demand, although the cost of living index of 87.209 indicates it is slightly below the national average, suggesting that take-home purchasing power may be more favorable than in higher-cost areas. Among local employers, franchise chains often have set hourly rates which result in lower pay compared to independent practices that can capitalize on direct client bookings and tip income, typically ranging from 15% to 25% of fees at spas. The stark wage disparity reflects the self-employed therapists' ability to earn substantially more per session, especially if they focus on niche services such as oncology or sports massage that command higher client fees. To maximize pay in this market, therapists should consider developing a strong presence in specialty areas and building a loyal client base through effective marketing, while also weighing the benefits of working with established franchises for consistent income and scheduling stability.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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 $35,610 for massage therapistsin the Lafayette 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