Massage Therapist Pay

Massage Therapist Salary in Dartmouth, MA: $60,419 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Dartmouth, MA earns a median $60,419/year (≈ $29.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Dartmouth's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $55,686 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Massachusetts state average.

$60,419
Median Annual Salary
$29.05/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$35,043
Entry Level (P10)
$93,650
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Massage Therapist Salary in Dartmouth, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Dartmouth, MA massage therapist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Dartmouth, Massachusetts, the projected median salary for massage therapists in 2026 is $60,419, which reflects a slight decrease of 2.51% compared to the national median of $61,975 for the same year. The salary range varies significantly; therapists can earn as little as $35,043 at the 10th percentile and up to $93,650 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data adjusted for local economic conditions. A notable aspect of this market is the potential for tip income, particularly for those employed at spas, where tips can contribute significantly to overall earnings.

About the Dartmouth Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$35,043$16.85
Lower Range (P25)$43,812$21.07
Median (P50)(typical)$60,419$29.05
Upper Range (P75)$77,336$37.18
Top Earners (P90)$93,650$45.02

Median Salary Position

$35,043$93,650
City Median: $60,419
National: $61,975
P10–P90 Range

2.51% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dartmouth

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for massage therapists in Dartmouth. The median salary is $60,419, compared to the national median of $61,975.$31.5K$48.2K$64.9K$81.6K$98.3K$35.0K10th Pctl$43.8K25th Pctl$60.4KMedian$77.3K75th Pctl$93.7K90th PctlUS Median$62.0K

In Dartmouth, MA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,607 (2026 est.). At $60,419, the local median is 2.51% below the national median of $61,975.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of massage therapist pay in the Dartmouth metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,162
per week
$5,036
per month
$60,429
per year

At 40 hours/week in Dartmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Dartmouth Massage Therapist Pay Compares

Dartmouth median: $60,419/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryDartmouth Pays
Massachusetts Average$62,032-2.60% less
National Average$61,975-2.51% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing massage therapist median salary in Dartmouth ($60,419) with Massachusetts average ($62,032) and the US national median ($61,975).Dartmouth$60,419Massachusetts Avg$62,032-2.60%US National$61,975-2.51%

Massage Therapists in Dartmouth, MA earn a median of $60,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.51% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.60% below the Massachusetts state average of $62,032.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,419
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$55,686
Adjusted Salary

Dartmouth has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $60,419. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $55,686, a loss of $4,733.$47.3K$53.3K$59.3K$65.3K$71.3K$60,419NominalSalary$55,686CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $62.0K

Dartmouth, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,419 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,686 — a 7.83% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$41,745

2025 BLS Actual

$56,983

2026 Current Est.

$60,419

2019–2027 Growth

+53.5%

Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Dartmouth (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for massage therapists in Dartmouth. Baseline $41,745 in 2025, projected to $64,062 by 2027.$37.3K$45.1K$52.9K$60.7K$68.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$41.7K$42.5K$45.7K$48.6K$53.9K$63.4K$57.0K$60.4K$64.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$41,745Actual
2020$42,525Actual
2021$45,733Actual
2022$48,609Actual
2023$53,922Actual
2024$63,412Actual
2025$56,983Actual
2026(current)$60,419Estimated
2027$64,062Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dartmouth metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $41,745 (2019) to $56,983 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,062 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,317 (53.46%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dartmouth metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$35,043$43,812
3-5 years (Mid Career)$43,812$60,419
5+ years (Experienced)$60,419$77,336
10+ years (Top Earner)$77,336$93,650

LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Massage Therapist Job Market in Dartmouth

The job market for massage therapists in Dartmouth is relatively limited, with only five professionals currently employed in the area. A higher cost of living index at 108.5 means that take-home purchasing power may be impacted for therapists. Spas, especially high-end resorts, typically offer better pay compared to chiropractic clinics or franchise chains like Massage Envy or Hand & Stone, which often provide lower hourly base rates. The disparity between low and high salaries can also be attributed to various factors, including tips, self-employment versus employed status, and specialty practices that could command higher rates. To maximize earnings in Dartmouth, therapists should consider cultivating a steady client base through self-employment or mobile services while also exploring niche markets, as these often yield higher pay per session.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do massage therapists make in Dartmouth, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median massage therapist salary in Dartmouth is $60,419/year ($29.05/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 6.03% annual growth). Salaries range from $35,043 at entry level (10th percentile) to $93,650 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Dartmouth at 2.5% below the national median. Full-time massage therapists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Dartmouth, MA a good place to work as a massage therapist?

Dartmouth massage therapist salaries are 2.5% below the national average and 2.6% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 5 massage therapists. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can massage therapists make $100K in Dartmouth?

The median massage therapist salary in Dartmouth is $60,419, and the 90th percentile earns $93,650. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted massage therapist salary in Dartmouth?

After adjusting for Dartmouth's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,419 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $55,686 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Dartmouth reduce the effective value of your salary by 7.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a massage therapist make per hour in Dartmouth?

Massage Therapists in Dartmouth earn a median hourly rate of $29.05, which translates to approximately $60,419/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $16.85 for entry-level positions to $45.02 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem massage therapists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, LMTData verified by Carlos Ramirez, LMT

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 $56,983 for massage therapistsin the Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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