Massage Therapist Salary in New Bedford, MA: $62,490 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in New Bedford, MA earns a median $62,490/year (≈ $30.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in New Bedford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $57,594 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a massage therapist in New Bedford, Massachusetts, can expect to earn a median salary of $62,490, which represents a competitive edge over the national median of $61,975. This salary stretches across a range, with entry-level positions starting at $37,687, while more experienced professionals can reach up to $96,859. It's important to consider that these figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect local cost adjustments. A significant aspect of income in this market is the potential for tip income at spas, which can add substantially to overall earnings and contribute to a more favorable compensation package than what the base salary alone would suggest.
About the New Bedford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,687 | $18.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,402 | $22.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,987 | $38.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,859 | $46.57 |
Median Salary Position
0.83% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Bedford
In New Bedford, MA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,172 (2026 est.). At $62,490, the local median is 0.83% above the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Bedford Massage Therapist Pay Compares
New Bedford median: $62,490/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Bedford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $62,055 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $61,975 | +0.83% more |
Massage Therapists in New Bedford, MA earn a median of $62,490 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.83% higher than the national median of $61,975 and 0.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $62,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Bedford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Bedford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,490 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,594 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,176
2025 BLS Actual
$58,936
2026 Current Est.
$62,490
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in New Bedford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,176 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,983 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,585 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,936 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,490 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,258 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Bedford metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $43,176 (2019) to $58,936 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,258 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,082 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Bedford 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) | $37,687 – $47,402 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,402 – $62,490 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,490 – $79,987 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,987 – $96,859 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in New Bedford
Currently, New Bedford employs 24 massage therapists, a small cohort indicating a tight-knit job market that might limit competition but could also mean less opportunity for rapid advancement. The cost of living in the area, with a cost-of-living index of 108.5, means that take-home pay needs to stretch slightly further than the national average. Among local employers, franchise chains like Massage Envy and Hand & Stone typically offer lower pay scales compared to independent practices, which can attract customers willing to pay a premium for specialized services. This disparity stems from the business models of franchises, which often pay therapists based on a per-service rate rather than a higher hourly wage. To optimize earnings potential in New Bedford, therapists might consider establishing a self-employed practice, leveraging skills in niche areas like sports or prenatal massage, or increasing their visibility through ABMP and AMTA affiliations to attract a more affluent clientele.
More salary data for New Bedford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can massage therapists make $100K in New Bedford?
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Related Pages
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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 $58,936 for massage therapistsin the New Bedford 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 New Bedford 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