Massage Therapist Salary in South Portland, ME: $82,445 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in South Portland, ME earns a median $82,445/year (≈ $39.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in South Portland's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $82,776 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 33.6% above the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Portland, ME, the projected compensation for massage therapists is notably competitive, with a median annual salary reaching $82,445 in 2026. This number is significantly higher than the national median of $61,975, highlighting the city's attractive position in the job market. Salary ranges reflect a diverse spectrum of pay, from $51,697 at the lower end (P10) to $127,789 (P90) for top earners, indicating a robust environment for practitioners. Estimations provided are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, presenting a clear picture of potential earnings that distinguish South Portland from other locales. The city's employment mix includes franchise establishments like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, which often offer lower pay compared to independent practices, where therapists can harness their earnings potential more effectively.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,697 | $24.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,122 | $29.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,445 | $39.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,530 | $50.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,789 | $61.43 |
Median Salary Position
33.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Portland
In South Portland, ME, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,092 (2026 est.). At $82,445, the local median is 33.03% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Portland Massage Therapist Pay Compares
South Portland median: $82,445/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $61,710 | +33.60% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +33.03% more |
Massage Therapists in South Portland, ME earn a median of $82,445 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.03% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 33.60% above the Maine state average of $61,710.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Portland has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A massage therapist earning $82,445 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,776 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,963
2025 BLS Actual
$77,756
2026 Current Est.
$82,445
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in South Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,963 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,028 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,404 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,329 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,579 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,175 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,756 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,445 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,416 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Portland metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $56,963 (2019) to $77,756 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,453 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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) | $51,697 – $62,122 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,122 – $82,445 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,445 – $105,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,530 – $127,789 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in South Portland
In evaluating the massage therapist salary in South Portland, it’s important to note that with only four massage therapists currently employed in the area, the local market remains relatively niche. The cost of living index at 99.6 suggests that expenses are slightly below the national average, allowing therapists greater purchasing power with their income. Franchise chains typically provide consistent hours but often lower pay structures compared to sports medicine practices or self-employed therapists who can charge premium rates for specialized services, such as those offered in oncology or prenatal massage. The disparity in pay can also be influenced by the amount of tip income therapists receive at spas, which can range between 15-25% of the session fee. For those considering how much do massage therapists make in South Portland, focusing on specialized services, building clientele, and potentially transitioning from employment at chains to self-employment could maximize earnings and lead to a more favorable financial outcome in this vibrant coastal city.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $77,756 for massage therapistsin the South 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
Salary data for South Portland 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