Massage Therapist Salary in Portland, ME: $82,799 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Portland, ME earns a median $82,799/year (≈ $39.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Portland's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.9), that paycheck buys what $81,289 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 34.1% above the Maine state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Portland, Maine, offers a robust compensation landscape for massage therapists, with a median annual salary projected at $82,799 by 2026. This figure is significantly higher than the national average of $61,975, reflecting a local market that rewards skilled practitioners well. The salary range for massage therapists in Portland is quite extensive, spanning from $34,407 at the 10th percentile to $134,849 at the 90th. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), indicates that those with niche skills and consistent client bases can command impressive earnings. Given the city’s reputation for wellness and beauty services, the job market continues to be competitive, providing opportunities for both employees and self-employed practitioners alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,407 | $16.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,367 | $22.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,799 | $39.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,934 | $49.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $134,849 | $64.83 |
Median Salary Position
33.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, ME, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $100,442 (2026 est.). At $82,799, the local median is 33.6% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Portland median: $82,799/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $61,744 | +34.10% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +33.60% more |
Massage Therapists in Portland, ME earn a median of $82,799 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.60% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 34.10% above the Maine state average of $61,744.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 1.86% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 101.858 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,799 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,289 — a 1.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,290
2025 BLS Actual
$78,090
2026 Current Est.
$82,799
2019–2027 Growth
+58.8%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,799 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,792 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 41.2% from $55,290 (2019) to $78,090 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,792 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,502 (58.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland 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) | $34,407 – $46,367 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,367 – $82,799 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,799 – $102,934 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,934 – $134,849 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Portland
With approximately 230 massage therapists currently employed in Portland, ME, the local job market remains healthy. The cost-of-living index, slightly above the national average at 101.858, means that while salaries may be higher, take-home pay must be managed carefully against living expenses. Generally, those working in high-end resorts and spas tend to earn more than their counterparts in franchise chains or lower-tier establishments, where base pay is often supplemented by tips averaging 15-25% of service fees. The disparity between self-employed therapists and those working for medical or wellness clinics can be significant, as the former often set their rates and schedule. To maximize earnings in this market, therapists should consider building a niche specialization, such as sports or prenatal massage, while also leveraging social media and networking to boost their client base and attract higher-paying clientele.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
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 $78,090 for massage therapistsin the Portland 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