Massage Therapist Salary in Medford, MA: $61,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Medford, MA earns a median $61,292/year (≈ $29.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Medford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $56,490 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected massage therapist salary in Medford, Massachusetts, for 2026 is a favorable $61,292, slightly below the national median of $61,975. This figure represents a broad salary range, with entry-level positions starting around $37,703 and experienced therapists potentially earning up to $95,002. While the higher end of this spectrum is accessible primarily to self-employed practitioners with established client bases, many massage therapists in Medford work at franchise establishments like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone, which typically offer lower pay due to their business model. The estimates presented here are derived from BLS data adjusted for local cost of living, which can significantly impact take-home income and the job market for massage therapists in this area.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,703 | $18.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,003 | $22.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,292 | $29.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,454 | $37.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,002 | $45.68 |
Median Salary Position
1.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, MA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,299 (2026 est.). At $61,292, the local median is 1.1% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Medford median: $61,292/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $62,036 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -1.10% less |
Massage Therapists in Medford, MA earn a median of $61,292 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.10% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 1.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $62,036.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,292 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,490 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,348
2025 BLS Actual
$57,806
2026 Current Est.
$61,292
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,348 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,139 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,393 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,701 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,328 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,806 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,988 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $42,348 (2019) to $57,806 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,988 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,640 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $37,703 – $47,003 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,003 – $61,292 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,292 – $78,454 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,454 – $95,002 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Medford
In Medford, the job market for massage therapists is relatively small, with only 11 professionals currently employed in the field. The local cost-of-living index, sitting at 108.5, suggests that while wages appear competitive, actual purchasing power can be tighter than it seems. Franchise positions are often more stable in terms of bookings, yet self-employment provides the potential for much higher earnings, especially when considering tips that can augment base pay significantly. The spread in compensation largely stems from differing business structures, where self-employed therapists can command higher rates, especially for specialized services. To maximize their earning potential, therapists in Medford should consider building a solid client network, exploring niches like prenatal or sports therapy, and perhaps even offering a mobile service to broaden their client base.
More salary data for Medford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $57,806 for massage therapistsin the Medford 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 Medford 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