Massage Therapist Salary in Massachusetts: $74,019 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 58 metropolitan areas, the average median massage therapist pay sits at $74,019/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9011. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,220 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pittsfield ($102,120), Boston ($75,160), Newton ($74,556).
In Massachusetts, the average median salary for massage therapists is projected to be $74,020 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $61,975 by 19.4%. Cities like Pittsfield lead the state with significantly higher earnings, expected at $108,278, while Worcester is on the lower end at $52,591, creating a salary gap of $55,687. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for therapeutic services, and whether therapists are working in health care settings or private practices. Massage therapists in Massachusetts must fulfill specific licensing requirements, including completing an accredited training program and passing a national exam. The state's strict scope of practice laws also ensure that therapists maintain high standards of care, which can enhance overall client demand. The employment outlook for massage therapists remains strong, with a projected annual growth rate of 6.03%. With a total of 3,197 employed in this field across 58 metro areas, demand is likely to be driven by an increasing awareness of wellness and therapeutic massage benefits, making Massachusetts a viable state for those pursuing a career in massage therapy. The cities of Boston, Newton, Cambridge, and Lynn also provide considerable earning potential, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the state.
Massachusetts Massage Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $33,442 (lowest entry-level) to $122,530 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts massage therapists earn 19.43% more than the national median (+$12,044/year difference).
Massachusetts Massage Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Massage Therapist salaries in Massachusetts range from $45,181 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $106,074 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $74,019. The Massachusetts median is $12,044 above the US national median of $61,975. The average hourly rate is $35.58/hr. Approximately 3,197 massage therapists are employed across 58 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,653
2025 BLS Actual
$69,810
2026 Current Est.
$74,019
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,653 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,198 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,751 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,236 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,388 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,019 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,483 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 35.2% from $51,653 (2019) to $69,810 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,483 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,830 (51.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Worcester | $52,591 |
| Barnstable Town | $55,729 |
| Andover | $58,730 |
| Leominster | $58,874 |
| Wellesley | $58,927 |
Best Value Cities for Massage Therapists in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for massage therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsfield | $108,278 | 95.106 | $113,850 |
| Boston | $79,692 | 108.266 | $73,608 |
| Newton | $79,052 | 108.5 | $72,859 |
| Cambridge | $77,789 | 108.5 | $71,695 |
| Springfield | $62,028 | 96.061 | $64,571 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,181 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $74,019 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $106,074 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 58 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pittsfield | $108,278 |
| 2 | Boston | $79,692 |
| 3 | Newton | $79,052 |
| 4 | Cambridge | $77,789 |
| 5 | Lynn | $63,708 |
| 6 | Somerville | $62,874 |
| 7 | Revere | $62,775 |
| 8 | Brockton | $62,560 |
| 9 | New Bedford | $62,490 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $62,452 |
| 11 | Malden | $62,225 |
| 12 | Haverhill | $62,215 |
| 13 | Lowell | $62,199 |
| 14 | Framingham | $62,171 |
| 15 | Peabody | $62,088 |
| 16 | Springfield | $62,028 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $61,901 |
| 18 | Chicopee | $61,715 |
| 19 | Randolph | $61,647 |
| 20 | Quincy | $61,538 |
| 21 | Amherst | $61,463 |
| 22 | Chelsea | $61,459 |
| 23 | Medford | $61,292 |
| 24 | Fall River | $61,233 |
| 25 | Marlborough | $61,233 |
| 26 | Watertown | $61,223 |
| 27 | Fitchburg | $61,175 |
| 28 | Methuen | $61,152 |
| 29 | Taunton | $61,125 |
| 30 | Arlington | $61,103 |
| 31 | Needham | $60,944 |
| 32 | Westfield | $60,915 |
| 33 | Everett | $60,906 |
| 34 | Holyoke | $60,593 |
| 35 | Lawrence | $60,491 |
| 36 | Beverly | $60,491 |
| 37 | Dartmouth | $60,419 |
| 38 | Waltham | $60,359 |
| 39 | Barnstable | $60,294 |
| 40 | Brookline | $60,161 |
| 41 | Billerica | $60,068 |
| 42 | Braintree | $59,866 |
| 43 | Salem | $59,765 |
| 44 | Natick | $59,727 |
| 45 | Dracut | $59,414 |
| 46 | Lexington | $59,375 |
| 47 | Stoughton | $59,375 |
| 48 | Northampton | $59,370 |
| 49 | Shrewsbury | $59,298 |
| 50 | Franklin | $59,139 |
| 51 | Attleboro | $59,091 |
| 52 | Woburn | $59,014 |
| 53 | Chelmsford | $58,961 |
| 54 | Wellesley | $58,927 |
| 55 | Leominster | $58,874 |
| 56 | Andover | $58,730 |
| 57 | Barnstable Town | $55,729 |
| 58 | Worcester | $52,591 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore massage therapist hourly pay in Massachusetts cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced massage therapists.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →Explore More Massage Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for massage therapists in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts massage therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level massage therapist salary in Massachusetts?
How many massage therapists are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 58 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