Massage Therapist Salary in Amherst, MA: $61,463 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Amherst, MA earns a median $61,463/year (≈ $29.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Amherst's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $56,648 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the massage therapist salary in Amherst, Massachusetts is projected to reach a median annual figure of $61,463. This positions local compensation slightly below the national median of $61,975, reflecting unique regional dynamics, including factors such as the cost of living in the area, which stands at a cost-of-living index of 108.5. Salary figures in this profession vary significantly, with a range from $35,648 at the 10th percentile to $95,268 at the 90th percentile, indicating the potential for higher earnings for those who may operate their own practice. While self-employed therapists can earn between $80 and $150 per hour, the trade-off includes bearing the overhead costs and marketing efforts necessary to attract clients, contrasting sharply with the more stable but often lower pay offered by franchises such as Massage Envy and Hand & Stone.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,648 | $17.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,248 | $23.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,463 | $29.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,673 | $37.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,268 | $45.80 |
Median Salary Position
0.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Amherst
In Amherst, MA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,620 (2026 est.). At $61,463, the local median is 0.83% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Amherst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Amherst Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Amherst median: $61,463/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Amherst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $62,022 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -0.83% less |
Massage Therapists in Amherst, MA earn a median of $61,463 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.83% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $62,022.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Amherst has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Amherst, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,463 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,648 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$42,467
2025 BLS Actual
$57,968
2026 Current Est.
$61,463
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,467 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,523 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,449 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,508 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,968 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,463 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,170 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Amherst metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $42,467 (2019) to $57,968 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,170 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,703 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Amherst 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) | $35,648 – $48,248 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,248 – $61,463 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,463 – $78,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,673 – $95,268 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Amherst
As Amherst employs only six massage therapists, job opportunities can be competitive, emphasizing the importance of specialization and client relationships in maximizing income. While average pay might appear to favor employed positions, the self-employed segment capitalizes on higher earnings and the freedom to set rates. Factors contributing to this wide pay disparity include tips, common in spas, which can increase overall earnings by 15-25% per session. Additionally, therapists who focus on in-demand specialties such as oncology, sports, or prenatal massage often see greater financial rewards. For massage therapists looking to thrive in Amherst MA, building a dedicated clientele and enhancing skills through certifications from organizations like ABMP and AMTA is key to achieving higher pay potential.
More salary data for Amherst, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do massage therapists make in Amherst, MA in 2026?
Is Amherst, MA a good place to work as a massage therapist?
Can massage therapists make $100K in Amherst?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Amherst?
How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Amherst?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $57,968 for massage therapistsin the Amherst 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 Amherst 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