Massage Therapist Pay

Massage Therapist Salary in Maine: $78,970 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $78,970/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $79,287 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($78,090), South Portland ($77,756), Lewiston ($57,348).

Massage Therapist Salary in Maine - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Maine massage therapist salary overview (2026)
$78,970
Avg Median Salary
$37.97
Avg Hourly Rate
278
Metro Employed
10
Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for massage therapists in Maine is projected to be $78,970, which is significantly higher than the national median of $61,975, reflecting a difference of 27.4%. Within the state, the highest paying city is Portland at $82,799, while Brunswick has the lowest at $57,120, resulting in a salary gap of $25,679. This disparity is primarily driven by the concentration of wellness facilities and higher demand for services in urban areas like Portland, compared to more rural areas such as Brunswick. Maine requires massage therapists to obtain state licensure, which involves meeting specific education and training standards. The scope of practice laws in Maine support a diverse range of therapeutic techniques, increasing job opportunities. Factors like an aging population and a growing public awareness of wellness contribute to the demand for massage therapy services. The job market for massage therapists in Maine is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.03%. With a total of 278 massage therapists employed statewide, there is a positive outlook for individuals entering this field. Cities like South Portland and Lewiston also offer promising salaries of $82,445 and $60,806, respectively, underscoring the potential for a rewarding career in massage therapy in Maine.

Maine Massage Therapist Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$34,834
avg across 10 cities
Median
$78,970
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$127,791
avg across 10 cities

Overall salary range in Maine: $33,644 (lowest entry-level) to $134,849 (highest top earner)

Maine vs National Average

Maine
$78,970
National Median
$61,975

Maine massage therapists earn 27.42% more than the national median (+$16,995/year difference).

Maine Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Maine massage therapist salary percentiles: 10th percentile $34,834, 25th $46,385, Median $78,970, 75th $98,552, 90th $127,791. US national median is $61,975.$35.8K$71.6K$107.3K$143.1K$34.8K10thEntry Level$46.4K25thEarly Career$79.0KMedianMid Career$98.6K75thExperienced$127.8K90thTop EarnerUS Median $62.0K

Massage Therapist salaries in Maine range from $34,834 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $127,791 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $78,970. The Maine median is $16,995 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $37.97/hr. Approximately 278 massage therapists are employed across 10 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$55,290

2025 BLS Actual

$74,479

2026 Current Est.

$78,970

2019–2027 Growth

+51.4%

Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Maine (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for massage therapists in Maine. Baseline $55,290 in 2025, projected to $83,732 by 2027.$37.2K$50.8K$64.4K$77.9K$91.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$55.3K$65.7K$46.9K$45.0K$52.1K$71.7K$74.5K$79.0K$83.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$55,290Actual
2020$65,650Actual
2021$46,910Actual
2022$44,990Actual
2023$52,070Actual
2024$71,718Actual
2025$74,479Actual
2026(current)$78,970Estimated
2027$83,732Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 34.7% from $55,290 (2019) to $74,479 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,732 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,442 (51.44%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine

#1
Portland
230 employed · $39.81/hr
$82,799
+4.85% vs avg
#2
South Portland
4 employed · $39.63/hr
$82,445
+4.40% vs avg
#3
Lewiston
7 employed · $29.23/hr
$60,806
-23.00% vs avg
#4
Bangor
6 employed · $28.41/hr
$59,072
-25.20% vs avg
#5
Scarborough
5 employed · $28.31/hr
$58,893
-25.42% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Maine

CityMedian Salary
Brunswick$57,120
Sanford$57,663
Auburn$58,007
Augusta$58,206
Biddeford$58,401

Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Maine

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
South Portland$82,44599.6$82,776
Portland$82,799101.858$81,289
Lewiston$60,80699.6$61,050
Bangor$59,07299.6$59,309
Scarborough$58,89399.6$59,130

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Maine

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$34,834
Mid Career (3-7 years)$78,970
Experienced (7+ years)$127,791

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 10 Cities in Maine

#CityMedian Salary
1Portland$82,799
2South Portland$82,445
3Lewiston$60,806
4Bangor$59,072
5Scarborough$58,893
6Biddeford$58,401
7Augusta$58,206
8Auburn$58,007
9Sanford$57,663
10Brunswick$57,120

More Maine Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore massage therapist hourly pay in Maine cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new massage therapists.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.

Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do massage therapists make in Maine in 2026?

The average median massage therapist salary in Maine is $78,970/year across 10 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $57,120 in Brunswick to $82,799 in Portland. This makes Maine one of the higher-paying states, at 27.42% above the national median of $61,975. The state employs approximately 278 massage therapists.

What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Maine?

Portland offers the highest massage therapist salary in Maine at $82,799/year ($39.81/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Portland ($82,799), South Portland ($82,445), Lewiston ($60,806). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for massage therapy services, and competition among employers for licensed massage therapists.

How does Maine massage therapist pay compare to the national average?

Maine's average massage therapist salary of $78,970 is 27.42% above the national median of $61,975 in 2026. The state employs approximately 278 massage therapists across 10 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Maine?

Entry-level massage therapists (10th percentile) in Maine earn approximately $34,834/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $33,644 in lower-paying areas to $51,697 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many massage therapists are employed in Maine?

Maine employs approximately 278 massage therapists across 10 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the massage therapy field expands and the population ages.

Which Maine city offers the best value for massage therapists?

When adjusted for cost of living, South Portland offers the highest purchasing power for massage therapists in Maine, with an adjusted salary of $82,776 (nominal: $82,445, CoL index: 99.6). This means your dollar goes 0% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, LMTData verified by Carlos Ramirez, LMT

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 6.03% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 massage therapist compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more massage therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

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

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