Massage Therapist Salary in Maryland: $67,037 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $67,037/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,333 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($64,971), Aspen Hill ($64,773), Gaithersburg ($64,353).
In 2026, massage therapists in Maryland are projected to earn an average median salary of $67,037, which is 8.2% higher than the national median of $61,975. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with Columbia offering the highest average at $68,889, while Hagerstown presents the lowest at $60,448, resulting in a salary gap of $8,441. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of wellness and spa industries in higher-paying areas. Maryland requires massage therapists to hold a state license, which includes completing a minimum number of training hours and passing a certification exam. These state-specific licensing requirements help maintain professional standards and boost consumer confidence. The job market for massage therapists in Maryland reflects a healthy growth rate of 6.03% annually, indicating a stable demand driven by an increasing focus on wellness and holistic health practices. As of now, there are approximately 1,199 employed massage therapists across 27 metro areas in Maryland. Key cities for this profession include Aspen Hill at $68,679, Gaithersburg at $68,233, Germantown at $68,185, and Ellicott City at $68,029, all showcasing strong compensation potential reflective of local economic conditions.
Maryland Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $32,159 (lowest entry-level) to $106,778 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland massage therapists earn 8.17% more than the national median (+$5,062/year difference).
Maryland Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Maryland range from $37,726 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $96,729 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,037. The Maryland median is $5,062 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $32.23/hr. Approximately 1,199 massage therapists are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$34,765
2025 BLS Actual
$63,225
2026 Current Est.
$67,037
2019–2027 Growth
+104.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,765 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,108 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,733 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,196 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,477 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,229 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,037 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,080 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 81.9% from $34,765 (2019) to $63,225 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,080 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,315 (104.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $60,448 |
| Cumberland | $62,699 |
| Greenbelt | $64,135 |
| Laurel | $64,347 |
| Catonsville | $64,673 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $67,668 | 104.487 | $64,762 |
| Hagerstown | $60,448 | 94.171 | $64,190 |
| Columbia | $68,889 | 109.3 | $63,027 |
| Aspen Hill | $68,679 | 109.3 | $62,835 |
| Gaithersburg | $68,233 | 109.3 | $62,427 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,726 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,037 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $96,729 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $68,889 |
| 2 | Aspen Hill | $68,679 |
| 3 | Gaithersburg | $68,233 |
| 4 | Germantown | $68,185 |
| 5 | Ellicott City | $68,029 |
| 6 | Waldorf | $67,960 |
| 7 | Wheaton | $67,729 |
| 8 | Baltimore | $67,668 |
| 9 | Bowie | $67,406 |
| 10 | Towson | $67,405 |
| 11 | Glen Burnie | $67,198 |
| 12 | Frederick | $66,270 |
| 13 | Annapolis | $66,255 |
| 14 | Severn | $66,254 |
| 15 | College Park | $66,125 |
| 16 | Rockville | $66,039 |
| 17 | Silver Spring | $66,007 |
| 18 | Salisbury | $65,882 |
| 19 | Potomac | $65,693 |
| 20 | Bethesda | $65,427 |
| 21 | Dundalk | $65,427 |
| 22 | Odenton | $65,204 |
| 23 | Catonsville | $64,673 |
| 24 | Laurel | $64,347 |
| 25 | Greenbelt | $64,135 |
| 26 | Cumberland | $62,699 |
| 27 | Hagerstown | $60,448 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in Maryland cities.
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 Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Maryland?
How does Maryland massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Maryland?
How many massage therapists are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for massage therapists?
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
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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 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