Massage Therapist Salary in Waltham, MA: $60,359 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time massage therapist in Waltham, MA earns a median $60,359/year (≈ $29.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9011). Once you factor in Waltham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $55,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the competitive environment of Waltham, Massachusetts, the projected median salary for a massage therapist in 2026 is $60,359, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national average of $61,975. This figure positions local professionals within a salary range that starts at $35,724 and goes up to $93,556, marking a diverse earnings potential shaped by various factors like experience, specialization, and employment contexts. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for the local cost of living highlight the realities of tip income in spas, which often adds a significant dimension to overall earnings, especially as therapists engage with clients in resort and franchise environments.
About the Waltham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,724 | $17.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,187 | $21.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,359 | $29.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,259 | $37.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,556 | $44.98 |
Median Salary Position
2.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waltham
In Waltham, MA, the massage therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,832 (2026 est.). At $60,359, the local median is 2.61% below the national median of $61,975.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waltham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waltham Massage Therapist Pay Compares
Waltham median: $60,359/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waltham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $62,034 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $61,975 | -2.61% less |
Massage Therapists in Waltham, MA earn a median of $60,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.61% lower than the national median of $61,975 and 2.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $62,034.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waltham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waltham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,359 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,630 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,704
2025 BLS Actual
$56,926
2026 Current Est.
$60,359
2019–2027 Growth
+53.5%
Salary Trajectory for Massage Therapists in Waltham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.03% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,704 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,687 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,868 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,348 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,926 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,359 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waltham metropolitan area, the median massage therapist salary grew 36.5% from $41,704 (2019) to $56,926 (2025). At a 6.03% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,294 (53.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waltham 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) | $35,724 – $45,187 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,187 – $60,359 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,359 – $77,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,259 – $93,556 |
LMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual massage therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Massage Therapist Job Market in Waltham
The job market in Waltham shows that there are currently 11 massage therapists working in the area, which is relatively small but indicates a niche demand for these services. The cost of living index sits at 108.5, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than the national average, expenses in Waltham also reflect local economic conditions. Employers like high-end spas and specialized practices in chiropractic or sports medicine typically offer better pay, often driven by clientele sensitivity to quality treatments. Variables such as tips, where therapists can earn an additional 15-25% per session at spas, further widen the pay spectrum. To maximize earnings, those in Waltham might consider focusing on unique therapies, increasing client referrals, or transitioning to self-employment, which can yield higher pay-per-service rates compared to the structured salaries of franchise chains.
More salary data for Waltham, 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 $56,926 for massage therapistsin the Waltham 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 Waltham 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